Vol. 458 No. 2
129 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Justice the amount of reduction in public spending in her Department as a result of the Government decision announced by the Minister for Finance on 8 June 1995; the number of new posts established since that date in her Department and in agencies under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16801/95]
The Government has decided to limit the growth in public expenditure with the aim of achieving a target of 2 per cent real growth in gross current supply services expenditure in 1996 as agreed in the policy document A Government of Renewal. My Department has been reviewing existing policies and expenditures with a view to maximising the benefits to be obtained within the Government's spending target. This review is not yet complete.
In line with that Government decision the establishment of new posts has been kept to the minimum needed to ensure the effective operation of certain key departmental programmes. Newly established posts in this category are:
Office of the Minister for Justice
(a) A post at Assistant Principal Officer level has been sanctioned for the period up to and including 31 December 1966 to deal with the work arising from the establishment of an Interdepartmental Group on European Action on Drugs.
(b) A post at Principal Officer level has been sanctioned up to the end of 1997 to service the Department's increasing involvement in Northern Ireland matters.
(c) A Forensic Scientist Grade III post to cater for the increased workload in the Forensic Science Laboratory.
Courts
(a) A post at Assistant Examiner (AP level).
(b) A post of Executive Officer in the Small Claims Court.
Also in line with the Government decision some vacant posts for which offers of appointment had already issued were also filled. These were:
Office of the Minister for Justice
(i) Three Forensic Scientist Grade III posts.
(ii) One Laboratory Technician.
(iii) Five Probation and Welfare Officers.
Garda Síochána
(i) One Civilian Video Officer.
