Vol. 490 No. 2
139 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the numbers employed at the various veterinary offices throughout the country; whether he has satisfied himself that staffing levels are adequate in view of increased workloads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9940/98]
A table outlining the staffing levels at the various Department veterinary offices throughout the country follows. In order to ensure compliance with the current EU regulations for the intake of beef into intervention, it has been necessary on an ongoing basis to temporarily transfer technical agricultural officers from district veterinary offices to meat inspection duties.
Temporary technical agricultural officers are being recruited at present. These officers will be assigned to meat inspection duties mainly. This should decrease the number of temporary transfers from district veterinary offices to the meat inspection area.
I am keeping the staffing situation at these offices under review and I can assure the Deputy that existing staff resources will continue to be used to best effect to meet the day to day needs of farmers.
Numbers in our veterinary offices are subject to constant change. The table below consists of staff numbers for veterinary offices throughout the country for December 1997.
|
Local Office |
Number |
|
Carlow |
17.0 |
|
Cavan |
30.0 |
|
Clare |
39.5 |
|
Cork |
89.0 |
|
Donegal |
28.5 |
|
Dublin/Wicklow |
17.5 |
|
Galway |
49.5 |
|
Kerry |
44.0 |
|
Kildare |
24.0 |
|
Kilkenny |
35.0 |
|
Laois |
24.5 |
|
Limerick |
38.0 |
|
Longford |
26.0 |
|
Louth |
14.5 |
|
Mayo |
34.5 |
|
Meath |
27.0 |
|
Monaghan |
26.0 |
|
Offaly |
23.5 |
|
Roscommon |
33.5 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
35.0 |
|
Tipperary |
55.5 |
|
Waterford |
26.5 |
|
Westmeath |
21.5 |
|
Wexford |
28.0 |
|
Total |
788 |
