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Public Sector Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 June 2012

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Ceisteanna (189)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

191 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of agency and contract staff currently employed in the public sector; the mechanism in place for monitoring and managing the associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28922/12]

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Freagraí scríofa

As of the end of May 2012, my Department had engaged 71 temporary IT contractors. IT expenditure is based on competitive tendering with extensive use of Central Government and Department specific procurement frameworks which continue to drive costs down.

My Department currently employs two Temporary Clerical Officers on fixed term contracts, for 13 weeks and 10 weeks respectively. They are employed in accordance with the guidelines set out under Circular 14/2009 — Shorter Working Year Scheme (SWYS).

One Assistant Secretary General was re-engaged by my Department on a part-time contract basis. Sanction for this contract was received from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Ten agricultural science students have been engaged on fixed term contracts for work experience purposes as part of their degree course. Three temporary forestry inspectors have been engaged on fixed term contracts for the purpose of undertaking the forest inventory and one assistant harbour master has been engaged on a fixed purpose contract.

Three retired veterinary staff are re-engaged on a contract basis as part-time Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) for a limited period primarily to provide cover for essential functions in my Department.

My Department also engages TVIs as contractors in meat plants for meat inspection purposes who are available to be rostered for meat inspection duties, as and when required on a fee paid basis. Fees are only paid to TVIs in respect of completed TVI shifts.

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