Vol. 495 No. 7
85 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on recent information supplied to the Committee on Enterprise and Small Business regarding the high turnover of staff at her Department; and if she has all the necessary personnel and resources to carry out her constitutional duties. [21144/98]
The Deputy is, I believe, referring to a section of my Department's strategy statement which was discussed at a recent meeting of the Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. The section in question, to be found on page 9 of the strategy statement, refers to constraints affecting the overall performance of my Department in achieving its strategic goals. The high turnover of staff, resulting in the loss of experienced staff, and the difficulty of filling consequential vacancies in entry grades is one such constraint.
My Department is not unique in that similar constraints are being felt by all Government Departments. Despite this, I am satisfied that I can carry out the functions assigned to me under the Ministers and Sectretaries Act.
The Civil Service Commission is, I understand, in the course of a significant recruitment programme which, it is hoped, will lead to the speedier filling of vacancies in recruitment grades.
