Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Seamus Brennan

Ceist:

291 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether an investigation officer has been attached to two employment exchanges (details supplied) in Dublin for a period of more than a year up to a recent date; if not, whether a number of requests were made to have the vacancy filled as a matter of urgency, particularly due to the success of the previous holder in uncovering fraudulent claims of millions of pounds; the reason the vacancy was left unfilled for such a long period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24656/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The deployment of staff resources, including the filling of staff vacancies where they occur, is a matter for management in my Department, operating within the overall resources available and in the context of prevailing Government policy in relation to public service numbers. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the filling of particular vacancies but I am satisfied that my Department operates in an objective and evenhanded manner in that regard.

I would remind the Deputy that, as I announced recently, I have made available additional staff for control activities and these are being deployed by my Department so as to give an effective spread of overall control resources throughout the country.

I should also point out that there has been a significant decrease in the live register since I intensified the control activities last September. This decrease has occurred in all areas including the areas covered by the local offices in question.