Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2004
16 Mr. P. Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of employees in FÁS classified as grade seven or above in respect of December 1997 and December 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13765/04]
View answerFÁS had 289.5 staff at grade 7 and above at the end of 2003 and 170 at the end of 1997. These management grades, 1 to 7, are spread throughout head office and the eight FÁS regions.
The increase in numbers at these levels is as a result of a major programme of change agreed in FÁS in 1996 negotiated under the auspices of the then FÁS mediation panel and agreed in the context of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work; the growth in training centre activity especially due to the growth of the apprenticeship programme; the transfer of staff and functions from the National Rehabilitation Board to FÁS in 2000; and adjustments relating to a strategic review of its operations carried out by FÁS in 2002.
As part of the Government decision to reduce public sector numbers, FÁS is required to reduce overall staff numbers by 150 by the end of 2005.
