Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Creed, announced in early summer that 300 staff would be recruited. This figure was downgraded in September to 116. My recollection is that the staff complement of 116 was primarily focused on veterinary and sanitary and phytosanitary, SPS, officials. I am concerned that there has been little or no action in regard to follow-through in regard to recruitment of this 116 staff or the previously-announced 300 staff. Will the Minister outline what was intended in terms of that 116 staff and what has happened in this regard. The first we heard about private veterinary practices being asked to front up in regard to providing assistance was when the advertisements were published in the papers a few weeks ago. I have grave concerns that nothing has happened in regard to that 116 staff. Will the Minister clarify what was to be done in that regard and what has happened?