Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2009
121 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 208 of 6 October 2008 and 77 of 13 October 2008, the reason the number of management staff in FÁS has risen ten times faster than the number of non-management staff between 1997 and 2008 in view of the fact that there was less work to be done as there was full employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42919/09]
Amharc ar fhreagra122 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 208 of 6 October 2008 and 77 of 13 October 2008, the reason the pay bill for managers in FÁS has increased twice as fast as the pay bill for non-management staff from 1998 to 2008 in view of the fact that there was less work to be done as there was full employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42920/09]
Amharc ar fhreagra123 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 208 of 6 October 2008 and 77 of 13 October 2008, the reason there was one manager for every 11 non-management staff in 1997 but there was one manager for every 6.8 non-management staff in 2008 in view of the fact that there was less work to be done as there was full employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42921/09]
Amharc ar fhreagra124 Deputy George Lee asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliament Question Nos. 208 of 6 October 2008 and 77 of 13 October 2008, the reason FÁS hired two and half additional managers for every additional employee at operational level delivering FÁS services from 1998 to 2008 in view of the fact that there was less work to be done as there was full employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42922/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 124, inclusive, together.
I understand that during the ten-year period referred to by the Deputy, 75% of the increase in management grades within FÁS occurred as a result of a one step increase from a senior staff grade to assistant manager as part of a major restructuring within the organisation.
FÁS management grades currently account for 12.8% of total staff and the cost must be seen in the context of the very wide responsibilities of the organisation. These responsibilities include:
Oversight of over 1300 community schemes involving over 24,000 people;
The operation of 70 Employment Services Offices assisting in excess of 150,000 unemployed people;
Providing over 120,000 training opportunities to unemployed people;
Providing training and other services to 22,000 apprentices;
Supporting a wide range of other services to disadvantaged people in our society.
By the end of 2009 management grades in FÁS will have reduced by over 10% overall and by 20% in the senior management grade from its peak.
The pay increases referred to by the Deputy were in line with national agreements and pay movements generally.
