Departmental Staff.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 April 2009

Tuesday, 7 April 2009

Questions (210)

Phil Hogan

Question:

210 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people working in the public service under temporary employment contracts on a fixed term basis who will lose their jobs as a consequence of the non-renewal of those contracts due to the moratorium decision announced by the Minister for Finance on 27 March 2009; the organisations in which such terminations will occur; the number of individuals who will lose their jobs as a consequence of this decision; the annual saving that will accrue to the Exchequer as a consequence of the non-renewal of these contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15046/09]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

This Department has a small number of employees (less than 35 in total) on fixed term contracts whose employment in the Public Service ceases on the expiry of their contract. In accordance with the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003, each of these employees' contracts has an end date which is determined by an objective condition, such as arriving at a specific date; completing a specific task; or the occurrence of a specific event.

I am advised by my officials that the moratorium on recruitment will have little, if any, impact on those currently retained by the Department on contract, as very few of their contracts would have been extended in any event.