Vol. 353 No. 2
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce, and Tourism if, in view of the shortage of executive staff in An Córas Tráchtála, he will dispense with the embargo on recruitment of staff and ensure that the very necessary recruitment of executives is embarked on immediately.
21.
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the steps he has taken, or proposes to take, with a view to lifting the embargo on recruitment in so far as marketing and sales executives are concerned for An Córas Tráchtála.
A Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
The embargo on public service recruitment, first introduced in July 1981, will continue to remain in force throughout the period of the national plan, and applies to all non-commercial State bodies.
Córas Tráchtála at present has ten fillable vacancies three of which are for sales and marketing executives. I am advised that these vacancies will be filled by the end of this year.
I am at present in consultation with Córas Tráchtála regarding the staffing arrangements necessary to enable that body to implement the proposals relating to export marketing contained in the White Paper on Industrial Policy.
Could the Minister indicate the number of foreign sales executives operating under the aegis of CTT outside Ireland at this time? Would he further indicate if an application has been made for CTT to increase the number of these executives in the market place?
I suppose it would be fair to say that CTT have been applying at all times for more staff. I have not got the information as to how many of the CTT staff are located overseas. I can get the report for the Deputy. I expect the CTT annual report will be published in the next three weeks, or so, which will contain all this information.
Is the Minister satisfied that the shortage of executive staff is not having any adverse effect on promotions by CTT? Is he satisfied that the shortage of staff is not an impediment to their function of selling? If he is not satisfied, will he take action which is required to ensure that this body are not hamstrung in any way because of the lack of these executives?
It would be a very brave man who would say that if CTT were to get more staff they would not be able to make good use of them. I am quite sure they would achieve extra exports if they got these extra staff. I am not saying I am satisfied. However, I am also well aware that CTT like every other Government agency must work within the embargo. The embargo is there for very good and well-understood financial reasons. I fully support the application of the embargo to CTT. I would like, if I could and if circumstances were to change, to provide additional staff for CTT. I have to say that is impossible at the moment because we have anembargo for broader well-understood and good reasons. As the Deputy is probably well aware, it is my intention to provide additional funds for CTT to implement the many new responsibilities they have been given in the White Paper on Industrial Policy next year and in subsequent years during the period of the national plan. I share the belief which I know is widespread in this House that we need to have greater emphasis on export marketing which we were discussing this morning.
Does the Minister agree that his reply is inconsistent with the stated aim in the national plan of generating more export markets? Since we are so dependent on exports, does he not think there is a justifiable case to be made to have the embargo lifted in the area of export promotion? For that reason, and because of the fact that we are seriously short of sales executives abroad, would he not consider applying to the Government to have the embargo lifted from CTT?
If there was anywhere in my view where it would be a good thing to lift the embargo it would be here. I am not prepared to recommend the lifting of the embargo because, as the Deputy knows, if we lift the embargo from one body we have to lift it from them all. There is no end to the demands and very good cases made why body X, body Y and body Z should have more staff. I am afraid I cannot change that position as of now. However, I will continue to do whatever I can within the overall constraints of Government policy to obtain more financial resources and, if possible, more staff for CTT. I agree they are a key element in the drive to provide more jobs.
Does the Minister agree that the lack of sales executives in CTT is keeping Irish industry from reaching its full potential in job creation?
I could never be sure whether that is absolutely true. I would be inclined to believe that if CTT got more staff they would make good use of them, and would get more exports for us. There is always a point beyond which you cannot provide more staff because all staff cost money. They are paid for by the taxpayer and you are into a trade off between the additional benefits of additional staff and the additional disbenefits that the cost of paying them would cause in taxation.
