Vol. 491 No. 3
389 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the extent of the employment of contract staff by the Office of Public Works and her Department, specifically in the architect, archaeologist and ecologist grades; the Government's policy, if any, in relation to this trend; if permanent recruitment to the Civil Service will take place to offset this trend; and, if so, when this will occur. [11858/98]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question from him, Question No. 28, on 7 May 1998. As I explained I have no function in relation to the Office of Public Works. At present a total of 32 contractors — mainly architects and archaeologists — are engaged to provide services in connection with the national inventory of architectural heritage and the Archaeological Survey of Ireland as outlined in my reply to Question No. 28 of 7 May 1998. A further 17 — mainly ecologists — are engaged to facilitate the preparation of management plans for areas proposed as special areas of conservation.
The Government and the social partners are committed under Partnership 2000 to the delivery of quality services, and to an adaptable and responsive public service. In this context, my Department is at present involved in consultations with the Department of Finance as to how the above listed services might best be provided in the future.
