Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 1997

Vol. 480 No. 6

Written Answers - Departmental Staff.

Pat Carey

Ceist:

397 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the post of investigation officer at an employment exchange (details supplied) in Dublin 11 was vacant at one stage for many months immediately following the promotion of the previous officer who uncovered alleged fraud of over £ 3 million; if the previous Minister had refused to sanction the filling of the vacant post; the reason, if any, he has to suspect the involvement of paramilitary or other criminal elements in the alleged fraud; whether the Garda were called in to deal with the alleged offences uncovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14591/97]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

The deployment of staff resources and the filling of vacancies within the Department is a matter for the management of the Department operating within the context of prevailing Government policy in relation to public service staffing. The post in question was vacant for a period of less than six months and during this period the work was covered by other officers in the region in accordance with normal practice. There is no record of the involvement of paramilitary or criminal activity as suggested in the question having been identified and consequently the Garda authorities were not called in to deal with any alleged offences.

If the Deputy has relevant information regarding paramilitary or criminal involvement I would welcome it being supplied to the Department or to the Criminal Assets Bureau or the Garda.