asked the Minister for the Public Service if his Department are participating in the lateral mobility scheme allowing staff to move at the same level both (a) between Departments of State and (b) to and from outside bodies; if not, the reason; and, if so, the number of his staff who have so far availed themselves of the scheme to move to and from (a) other Departments and (b) outside bodies.
Written Answers. - Lateral Mobility Scheme.
457.
My Department are participating in the lateral mobility scheme. To date two officers were assigned to other Departments and five officers were assigned to outside bodies, including bodies in the private sector. Two persons from outside bodies are at present working in my Department. Arrangements are being made for the assignment of a sixth officer to an outside body and the acceptance of a person from that body. In addition, for many years significant numbers of officers have been recruited from other Departments on a regular basis to work in my Department for periods of three to five years, after which they return to their parent Departments.