Written Answers - Departmental Staff.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:
272
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the number, grade and professional/technical description of established positions in his Department; the number of such positions which are currently filled in an acting capacity; the number of such positions which are vacant; the number of such positions which are vacant for more than one year; the steps which are being taken by his Department to fill these vacant positions; if a Civil Service competition is required; if the existing panel can be utilised; when it is expected to fill these vacant positions; if the inability to maintain a full complement of established positions is delaying the implementation of the national development plan; if the existence of these vacancies has been reported to the committee of the Cabinet charged with overseeing the implementation of the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13049/01]
The information on positions and vacancies requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
Professional-Technical Grades in Planning and Building Unit
|
Grades
|
No. of Posts
|
No. ofVacancies
|
|
Technical Managers
|
2
|
|
|
Senior Architects
|
6.5
|
2
|
|
Architect
|
6
|
6
|
|
Architectural Assistant, Grade I
|
6
|
|
|
Architectural Assistant, Grade II
|
6
|
|
|
Quantity Surveyors
|
3
|
1
|
|
Engineer, Grade I
|
2
|
|
|
Engineer, Grade II
|
1
|
|
|
Total
|
32.5
|
9
|
One post at senior architect level is filled on an acting-up basis. Three posts have been vacant for more than one year, one at senior architect level and two at architect level.
The planning and building unit of my Department has worked to full capacity in relation to funding allocated for the projects within its remit. In 2000 the capital allocation was £313.9 million and this allocation was fully expended. It is anticipated that the 2001 allocation will be fully expended. Private sector design teams are regularly used by my Department to ensure the timely completion of projects.
In the case of any one project, apart from the role of the design team, the progress to successful completion depends on a number of factors. Chief among these are the complexity and size of the project, the time required to undertake architectural planning, the volume of other projects being dealt with, the period of time required for the granting of planning permission and obtaining a fire certificate, the availability of funding, the outcome of the tender competition and the procurement, where relevant, of bonds, insurance and tax clearance by prospective contractors.
In summary, progress on delivery of the national development plan is not adversely affected by the staffing position.
The resource needs in the area of professional and technical support in the planning and building unit of my Department are currently under review. The review is taking place in the context of the wider review of my Department's operations, systems and staffing needs, conducted by Mr. Sean Cromien, former Secretary of the Department of Finance.
The mix of professional and technical grades in the building area and the precise number in each grade will not be finally determined until the change agenda for that area is agreed as it will inevitably involve a considerable refocusing of the role of such grades. The implementation of the programme of change will of course proceed on a partnership basis.
