In accordance with Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, day to day staffing and organisational arrangements are a matter for each local authority.
My Department has a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium on public sector recruitment in the local authority sector. Where vacancies arise, it is a matter for each local authority, in the first instance, to reorganise and reallocate work to meet requirements. Any exceptions to the moratorium require sanction from this Department.
In considering sanction requests public safety, maintaining key front line services and economic issues are given precedence as is the requirement to avoid increases in overall staffing levels.
Based on a survey of local authorities I understand that all are satisfied with current staffing arrangements in relation to the Arts function.