Dáil debates

Tuesday, 16 November 2004

 

Office of the Chief State Solicitor.

2:30 pm

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Most if not all of the recommendations of the Nally report have now been implemented, with the exception of the negotiations, which hopefully will be concluded shortly with the State Solicitors' Association. Discussions have been taking place and an offer has been made to bring them under the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. A formal offer was made to the local State solicitors last October. The offer dealt with many of the issues raised in the course of negotiations. The association is currently considering the offer and a detailed response is awaited. Informal contacts are continuing in the meantime. This is the last of the Nally report initiatives to be completed.

I am not sure if I have all the figures to hand as regards staffing and the agreement between the CSSO. The study group addressed the issue of greater cohesion in the criminal justice system. Among the recommendations in the report was the transfer of responsibility for the criminal division of the CSSO and the local State solicitor service to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The main features of the recommendation included an increase of staff by 75, including 66 in the professional and technical complement in both solicitors' offices. That agreement has been in place for a number of years. A recruitment campaign commenced the confined competitions for serving contract personnel and staff size acceptance to filling promotional posts. There were other issues to do with IT and work management systems. I do not have information on the number of vacancies but I understand there are not many vacancies now due to a series of interviews. A new recruitment scale for solicitors was implemented to replace the existing lower grade. The scale includes a facility for multiple increments after three and six years' service. Fifty-two additional professional staff were appointed which is a 56% increase over the then levels some time ago, including 12 extra senior posts at principal officer level. Fourteen extra technical staff, a 30% increase on existing levels, and also legal clerks were appointed. These appointments were made some time ago when reforms were being undertaken.

In recent times significant steps have been taken by the Government to ensure that the legal offices of the State have the resources to meet the demands facing them. There has been a significant increase in staffing levels in the Office of the Chief State Solicitor in recent years. The introduction of office-wide IT systems, a new organisational structure, modern library and information systems, strategic planning and training and development programmes has been completed. The Office of the Chief State Solicitor has recruited most of the additional staff approved. The staff complement has averaged approximately 225 over the past year. The office has currently 12 vacancies, one professional post, eight technical posts and three support staff. I do not have the figures for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. If a parliamentary question is submitted on the subject I may be able to provide those details.

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