Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

336 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the staffing levels in the IT area of his Department; the number of staff who left their posts in 1999; the average age of those remaining; and the efforts, if any, he is making, financial or otherwise, to retain experienced staff in his Department. [24979/99]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

340 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to introduce staff loyalty bonuses for staff who choose to remain working in his Department; the number of people who will receive this bonus; and the payment due to each employee as a result. [24983/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 336 and 340 together.

The current staff complement in the information systems division of my Department is 270. This includes software development and maintenance staff, computer operations, networks and other IT support and administrative staff. From 1 January 1999 to date, 33 staff have left the division for various reasons. Of these, 12 resigned from the Civil Service. The average age of the remaining staff is 36.

The loss of skilled IT staff is an area of concern for Departments, including my own, which have a high dependence on information technology to do their business. A number of possible measures aimed at retaining skilled staff are under consideration on a Civil Service wide basis. In addition, within my own Department, the question of IT staff recruitment, working environment, communications and training and other measures are being considered and strategy to address these issues is being drawn up in consultation with staff in the IS division and with other relevant bodies and agencies.

As part of a Civil Service-wide set of once-off, exceptional measures to retain key skilled IT staff, a bonus is to be paid to certain staff working on the year 2000 compliance project.

The bonus will be paid to staff with the necessary IT skills who worked on remedial work in relation to the project and who are still serving in the Civil Service in April 2000. The bonus will be payable at a rate of £7,500 per annum, subject to a maximum period of 18 months. Staff working on the project for 18 months and longer will receive a maximum bonus of £11,250 before tax. Other staff who worked on the project for shorter durations will receive a pro rata amount based on a smaller number of months.