Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 4

Written Answers - Departmental Staff.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

200 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the number, grade and professional/technical description of established positions in his Department; the number of such positions which are currently filled in an acting capacity; the number of such positions which are vacant; the number of such positions which are vacant for more than one year; the steps which are being taken by his Department to fill these vacant positions; if a Civil Service competition is required; if the existing panel can be utilised; when it is expected to fill these vacant positions; if the inability to maintain a full complement of established positions is delaying the implementation of the national development plan; if the existence of these vacancies has been reported to the committee of the Cabinet charged with overseeing the implementation of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13043/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I presume the Deputy is referring to professional/technical staff who are involved in the implementation of the national development plan. These posts include one chief architectural adviser, four architectural advisers, one principal engineering adviser, three engineering advisers, one principal inspector – quantity surveyor, one quantity surveyor and one professional accountant.

All positions filled are on a wholetime, permanent basis. At present there are three vacant posts, one for deputy chief architect which became vacant within the last month, the second for an engineering adviser which became vacant in January 2001 and the third for a professional accountant also recently vacant and is in the process of being filled from an existing panel. Steps are also being taken to have the other two vacancies filled as soon as possible. Recruitment to these posts will be by competition advertised by the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission, unless there are existing panels from which candidates can be selected.