Local Authorities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022

Thursday, 23 June 2022

Ceisteanna (214)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

214. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the senior executive officer roles that were assigned to both Drogheda and Dundalk in 2020; if Louth County Council made a request to extend the roles in either location; if he will also provide details on whether similar roles were offered to local authorities across the country, and if so, if he will advise the number that were offered and the number of SEOs that were approved by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33272/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Louth County Council sought formal sanction from my Department for two additional staff at Senior Executive Officer (SEO) grade level in early 2020, the posts to be filled by internal competition.  Formal sanction was communicated by my Department to the Council on 31 January 2020 on a three year specific purpose contract basis with recruitment confined to the local government sector.  These two SEO posts were specific to Louth County Council only.

The detailed arrangements, including recruitment, expected start date(s) and the detailed role and functions of the posts, in line with the Council's funding proposal to the Department, are a matter for Louth County Council in accordance with section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 which provides that each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.

Further information in relation to these posts should be available from Louth County Council.