Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Appointments.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Following is the number of vacancies for each Civil Service grade in my Department on 30 September 2000 which is the most recent date for which staffing figures are readily available.

General Service Grades
Principal Officer	4
Assistant Principal Officer	44
Higher Executive Officer	58.5
Administrative Officer	8
Executive Officer	146
Executive Officer/Junior Systems Analyst	2
Staff Officer	18.5
Clerical Officer	170
Head Service Officer	1
Service Officer	30
Departmental Grades
Human Resource Manager (Garda Síochána)	1
Forensic Scientist Grade I	1
Forensic Scientist Grade II	0.5
Senior Probation and Welfare Officer	4
Probation and Welfare Officer	42.5
Forensic Scientist Grade III	2
Senior Laboratory Technician Class I	1.5
Researcher	2
Solicitor	1
Video Officer	1
Chief Superintendent of Mapping	2
Regional Mapping Director	1
Superintendent of Mapping	4
Examiner in Charge	8
Examiner of Maps	11
Civilian Driver	2
Head Searcher	1
Governor – Grade 3	1
Assistant Governor	5
Industrial Training Instructor Grade 2	4
Chief Trades Officer 2	1
Clerk 2	31.5
Industrial Supervisor	7
Assistant Chief Officer	70
Trades Officer	12
Nurse Officer	33
Assistant Industrial Supervisor	17
Pharmacist	1
Chaplain	2
Prison Doctor	2

The figures outlined represent the position on 30 September 2000 and do not take into account any changes which have taken place since then. A number of the vacancies listed represent new posts sanctioned for my Department and in this regard requests have been made to the Civil Ser vice Commission where appropriate, to assign new staff from their existing panels or in certain cases to hold recruitment competitions to meet our requirements. Furthermore, some of the vacancies listed will be filled by means of internal promotion of existing staff and I understand plans to fill vacancies by this method are also in train.

My Department is keen to ensure that every effort within its control is made to attract and retain staff. My Department availed of the public sector recruitment fair at the RDS on 28 May 2000, to promote the various career options which are open to potential employees. It is intended to explore other opportunities of this nature to attract as many suitably qualified staff to my Department as possible.