Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
1231 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. [21950/04]
View answerAn open competition to fill vacant positions in the grade of conservation ranger in the national parks and wildlife service of my Department is currently being conducted by the Civil Service Commission. This competition was advertised in the national newspapers on 2 and 3 September 2004. The closing date for applications was 16 September 2004. My Department expects that vacancies will begin to be filled from this competition towards the end of this year.
1232 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons who were working in the new house grants section of his Department in the past five years and who dealt with applications submitted by first-time buyers; the locations to which these staff will be deployed in view of the fact that the new house grant has been abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21990/04]
View answerOver the past five years some 56 staff have worked wholly or partly on applications for first-time house purchaser's grants. Following the termination of the grant in 2002 and the final deadline for applications in April 2004, staff have gradually been redeployed to other work in their existing locations, as the processing of remaining applications on hand has been completed. In 2003-04 the Department has reduced overall staff numbers by 32 through non-filling of vacancies across all areas.
