Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2677. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff employed in the appeals section; the staffing numbers in the section since 2010; and the budget directed to appeals. [31748/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLike all Government departments and agencies, my Department is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff.
The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new and increasing demands in a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.
The administrative budget for the Appeals Office for 2019 is €344,990 (includes overtime and travel expenses). Based on average grade salary costs, full-year salary expenditure based on end of June 2019 staffing figures will amount to €4,678,007.
Staffing figures as at the end of each year from 2010 to 2018 and at the end of June for 2019 are set out in the tables below. There are two figures provided: one for the full-time equivalent staffing number (FTE) and the other for the actual number of staff on site (comprises full-time staff and staff availing of shorter working weeks).
|
Date |
FTE |
Staff Count |
|
December 2010 |
59.60 |
66 |
|
December 2011 |
67.80 |
74 |
|
December 2012* |
87.83 |
94 |
|
December 2013 |
84.64 |
90 |
|
December 2014 |
85.65 |
91 |
|
December 2015 |
78.10 |
83 |
|
December 2016 |
81.65 |
86 |
|
December 2017 |
79.15 |
83 |
|
December 2018 |
74.44 |
78 |
|
June 2019 |
83.15 |
87 |
*Additional staff assigned to Appeals Office with transfer of Community Welfare Services from HSE to DEASP.
