Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016
212. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who have been recruited in the Tipperary Education and Training Board since its establishment; the number assigned to the ETB head office in Nenagh; the number allocated to other locations in the county and their locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31774/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTipperary Education and Training Board receives staffing approvals from my Department, for categories of staff such as teachers, other school support staff and head office administration staff. However, the way in which staff are recruited and assigned between Head Office, individual schools, colleges and other centres in the county is a matter for Tipperary ETB. Accordingly, my Department does not hold the details requested by the Deputy.
The Deputy may wish to note that in relation to administrative posts funded by main-scheme pay budgets, my Department's overall approach is guided by what is affordable within the ETB budget, how does the staffing level in the ETB compare to similar sized ETBs, what are the staffing pressures in the ETB and what are the ETB's priorities for same. In the case of Tipperary ETB, my Department recently met with the senior ETB management to discuss critical vacancies within its Head Office arising from retirements etc. Following this meeting, my Department sanctioned the filling of temporary Assistant Principal and Grade VII posts (including associated back-filling) in order to support the ETB in implementing its functions and to drive the restructuring and streamlining process that is underway in the ETB.
The Deputy may also wish to note that in order to strengthen the senior management team across the ETB sector, my Department has sanctioned the filling of a number of Director posts in individual ETBs which include a Director of Further Education & Training, Director of Schools and a Director of Organisation Support & Development post. These Director posts have been, or are in the process of being, filled via the Public Appointments Service.
