asked the Minister for Local Government when local authority engineers and accountants will be given the benefit of the arbitrator's award.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Engineers and Accountants.
14.
The review body set up by the Government to advise on remuneration in the upper ranges of the public sector has been asked to examine and report on the arbitrator's awards referred to by the Deputy. A decision, therefore, on proposals of local authorities to implement the awards has been postponed pending the receipt and consideration of the review body's report.
Is the Minister aware of the effect the holding up of this award is having on the recruitment of staff in the Dublin region? Is he aware that there are about 50 vacancies which cannot be filled? This is having a very drastic effect on planning and development.
I am not aware this is holding up recruitment.
Is the Minister Minister for Local Government at all? Surely it is his duty to be aware that there are 50 vacancies in the largest local authority area in the country and nothing can be done to fill these vacancies because of the hold-up of the award by an arbitrator.
I did not say there were not vacancies.