Vol. 501 No. 4
39 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if it is intended to abolish the position of county engineer in revised local authority structures; and the discussions he has had with trade unions and local authorities on this matter. [6175/99]
Proposals for the creation of strengthened local authority management structures to meet the demands of the introduction of a programme based system of administration and the abolition of the dual structure have been the subject of discussions between the Local Government Management Services Board, representing local authority management, and the unions representing local authority administrative and technical staff for almost two years. Final management proposals for the new structures were outlined to the staff side at a meeting on 17 February 1999. These proposals have since been sent formally in writing to the unions and their response is now awaited.
Under the management proposals, a new grade of director of services will be created at assistant county manager level. The posts of assistant county manager and county engineer will cease to exist and a number of the new director of services posts will be filled by the designation of the serving assistant managers and county engineers as directors of services. Management proposals also provide for a severance package for assistant county managers and county engineers who do not wish to be designated as directors of services.
