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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 2

Ceisteanna – Questions. - Departmental Staff.

Michael Noonan

Question:

10 Mr. Noonan asked the Taoiseach the number of staff vacancies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1147/02]

A table setting out the vacancies by grade in my Department is being circulated in the Official Report.

Recruitment to fill vacancies is in line with normal Civil Service procedures. Staff are assigned by the Civil Service Commission except in the case of service officers, service attendants and cleaners who are recruited through FÁS. The number of vacancies is four and a half.

Grade

Numbers

Assistant Principal

1

Higher Executive Officer

Administrative Officer

1

Service Attendant

1

Total

*½ represents an officer job-sharing

Will the Taoiseach comment on the serious industrial dispute in the Forensic Science Laboratory which seems to be due to a lack of staff?

That is a separate question.

It concerns a staff issue.

The question before us is a statistical one to which the Deputy's supplementary question is not relevant.

The Taoiseach might like to answer it.

The matter does not come under my Department and I do not have a briefing on it. Every industrial relations dispute is serious. The relevant Minister and officials are doing their utmost to try to bring this dispute to a conclusion.

Has a vacancy arisen as a result of the successful nomination of Dr. Martin Mansergh to contest the election in Tipperary South on behalf of Fianna Fáil? Will he follow the practice that pertained in similar circumstances to other advisers appointed to Ministers and resign from his paid position as an adviser to the Government between now and the general election?

Particular cases are not relevant to the question before us.

My question concerns a vacancy. Needless to say, we wish Dr. Mansergh well—

I thank the Deputy for that.

—in the same spirit as, I am sure, Deputy Davern does.

I appreciate that and I am sure Dr. Mansergh will be heartened to know the Deputy is thinking of him. He will follow the well established procedure in this area; when the campaign commences, he must resign his position.

That concludes Taoiseach's questions.

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