Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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470. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacant WTE posts, by job title, at the Health and Safety Authority as of 7 June 2023; the estimated full-year cost of filling each of these vacancies; and when each of these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [28446/23]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Following the allocation of additional funding for the Health and Safety Authority in recent years the overall number of sanctioned positions now stands at 317 across both administrative and professional and technical grades. The recruitment of additional resources is being managed on a phased basis and following extensive recruitment, over 160 appointments have been made since 2021.

The staff of the Health and Safety Authority is made up of those in administration and inspector grades. The inspector grades comprise of Grade I (senior inspectors) as well as Grade II and Grade III inspectors. Inspectors operate across all our mandates which include occupational health and safety, chemicals, accreditation, and market surveillance. Administration grades follow the civil service structure of Clerical Officer, Executive Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Assistant Principal and Principal Officer.

The Health and Safety Authority, as of 7 June 2023, has 62 WTE positions currently vacant, 47 of which relate to the position of Grade III inspector. The most recent competition for position of Grade III Inspector closed in May 2023 and the remaining stages of the recruitment process are underway.

The number of vacant posts by grade are set out in the table below.

The cost per annum is dependent on each individual grade. The workings are outlined below.

Assumptions;

- Figures based on starting point of the relevant grade for all positions.

- Provision included for Employer PRSI calculated at 11.05%

- Recruitment and onboarding cost of €15k for positions based on batch recruitment.