Cecilia Keaveney
Question:1277 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government when a vacancy (details supplied) in County Donegal will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20197/03]
Written Answers. - Wildlife Rangers.
Pat Carey
Question:1313 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if he will make funds available to fill the vacant post of wildlife ranger for the north Dublin region which is currently covered by the ranger who has primary responsibility for Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21032/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1277 and 1313 together.
These and other vacancies are being addressed in the context of an overall country-wide package of measures recently agreed with the main trade union involved, IMPACT. The central element of the package is an improvement in the regional structures of the national parks and wildlife service of my Department by an increase in the number of divisions from three to four and an increase in the number of regions from six to eight, thus significantly facilitating the better conservation management of our natural heritage in the future. The process of implementation of the package has already commenced and will include the recruitment of additional conservation rangers through the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners. Provision for specific conservation ranger coverage of the areas which are the subject of the questions will be made within the improved organisational arrangements.