asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is satisfied that the restriction on recruitment of staff for An Foras Talúntais is not having a detrimental effect on the service provided; and if he is not so satisfied, if he will permit the necessary recruitments.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - An Foras Talúntais Staffing.
8.
The Government have decided, as an integral part of the national plan, to maintain restrictions on the staffing of the public service and it is not possible to exempt An Foras Talúntais from those restrictions. The establishment of priority agricultural research areas and the efficient deployment of their staff are matters for An Foras.
Having regard to the vital role which An Foras Talúntais play, does the Minister not agree that it is an ill-advised decision to include them in the recruitment embargo because of the impact it will have on the researchers involved? Natural wastage takes place in all organisations which means that An Foras could be short of staff in the near future which would reflect on the research work carried out in various locations.
The reductions in staff are not dramatic. The current staff consists of 1,200 people. There are 236 people engaged on research, 394 people are involved in technical work, 126 people involved in administration, 69 people on maintenance and there are 69 people also involved in cleaning and catering. General operatives account for 307 people.
What is the average age of those involved in research work?
I do not have a clue.
That is a separate question.