Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Appointments.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

331 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the grounds on which a person employed in the principal probation and welfare officer post will be re-employed after retirement at 65 years of age; the salary to be paid; the period of contract; the present grounds which preclude him proceeding with an appointment of a principal probation and welfare officer on the occasion of the present incumbent's retirement; and his proposals in relation to qualifications for this post. [31470/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

It would be generally inappropriate for me to comment on personnel related matters concerning an individual in my Department. I decided, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, to extend the term of office of the current principal probation and welfare officer for a period of six months. The person concerned will remain at his current salary level.

This is an interim measure and arises from a Government decision. The Government, some time ago, deferred consideration of the final report of the expert group on the probation and welfare service pending completion of a value for money audit of the probation and welfare service being carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor General's office. Extending the term of office of the person concerned will ensure that the current management structure remains in place until my Department has had an opportunity to go back to Government with proposals regarding the future of the service.

As regards qualifications for the post, it is my Department's present position that any new head of service should have the necessary management attributes to head up the service and, while a social services background may be desirable, it will not be an essential requirement for the position.