Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 3

Written Answers. - Civil Service Vacancies.

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of current vacancies for each civil service grade in my Department is as follows:

Grade	Number of Vacancies
Assistant Secretary General	2
Principal Officer	1
Assistant Principal Officer	1
Administrative Officer	1
Higher Executive Officer	13
Executive Officer	24
Staff Officer	3.5
Clerical Officer	19
Inspector	2
Architect	5
Quantity Surveyor	1
Telephonist	1
Service Officer	2
Total	75.5

In addition to appointments made to date, a further 28 new psychologist posts remain to be filled in the national educational psychological service. These posts will be filled as soon as possible from a panel, which has been established by the Civil Service Commission.

The vacancies that exist at present include additional posts that were approved for the Department in December 1999, and posts that have become vacant due to retirements and resignations. Every effort is being made to fill the vacant positions as quickly as possible. However, the Deputy will be aware that Government Departments are facing the same labour market constraints as other sectors at present and the filling of vacancies is taking longer than had been anticipated.

I can assure the Deputy that the filling of the vacant posts is receiving urgent attention.