I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 321 together.
The tables below list the number of full-time equivalent departmental veterinary inspectors in meat processing plants for the periods requested. Table A sets out the information by quarter for the years 2017 to date and Table B gives the information, monthly from September 2021 until the time of responding to this PQ.
In the time available, it is not possible to further break down the figures in Table A into weekday and weekend figures.
TABLE A
Quarter
|
FTE of Meat plant Veterinary Inspectors
|
Q1 2017
|
45.6
|
Q2 2017
|
43.6
|
Q3 2017
|
47.6
|
Q4 2017
|
47.6
|
Q1 2018
|
49.6
|
Q2 2018
|
48.6
|
Q3 2018
|
53.6
|
Q4 2018
|
53.6
|
Q1 2019
|
53.6
|
Q2 2019
|
53.6
|
Q3 2019
|
54.6
|
Q4 2019
|
54.6
|
Q1 2020
|
53.6
|
Q2 2020
|
51.6
|
Q3 2020
|
49.6
|
Q4 2020
|
48.6
|
Q1 2021
|
53.6
|
Q2 2021
|
58.6
|
Q3 2021
|
58.6
|
Q4 2021
|
59.0
|
TABLE B
Month
|
Veterinary Inspectors in Meat Plants
|
September 2021
|
59
|
October 2021
|
59
|
November 2021
|
58
|
December 2021
|
59
|
January 2022
|
60
|
Overall, staffing levels and needs within locations and divisions are continually monitored and staff are assigned as business needs dictate.