Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

There were a number of issues because there were new contracts with the DPP and they are issued on a competitive basis. At this stage, however, it is down to money; the other issues have been completed. There is a problem because some of the offices are very large while others are very small. It is a hard issue to find a basis for a settlement. There have been three offers and discussions are continuing.

I am advised that the system has worked well over the past few years. There was a total overhaul of all the offices, with huge increases in staff and investment in information communication technology. That work is ongoing. The Chief State Solicitor's office has now recruited additional staff and has a complement of 238 full-time equivalents, a huge increase on the number a few years ago. There is now only a small number of vacancies in the office. The DPP has recruited the additional staff sanctioned and it has a staff complement of 170, so there are now 400 people between the two offices. As I stated, there is now a promotional base where they can move between offices; the ring-fencing no longer exists. From a staff point of view, the situation is much better.

The Nally report recognised and identified problems with grading, appointments, transfer and promotion of staff. There were a number of issues that led to a difficult position at that stage with staffing. In the CSSO and the solicitor division of the DPP, promotions and professional and technical grades are now open to all suitably qualified people. The system is working much better and the tensions of the past are gone with better promotional prospects and movement between sections.

There were many other initiatives, such as the setting up of better library, research and ICT facilities, and those have all been implemented. We have reached the last point of an agreement with the Chief State Solicitor's office which will allow new contracts with the DPP.

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