Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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57. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of employees employed by his Department at the end of 2022 and at the end of 2023; the current numbers for 2024; if there is an embargo on recruitment in his Department at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18678/24]

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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How many people were employed by the Department at the end of 2022 and at the end of 2023 and what are the present numbers? Is it true that there is an embargo on recruiting people into his Department until others retire? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Over the past five years, my Department's business needs have grown significantly. In 2018, its workforce totalled 3,336 staff. The Department has increased its staffing numbers considerably since then in order to ensure that we meet our commitment to deliver a quality service to all in the agricultural community and to all other citizens who depend on my Department for overseeing food production and standards. The total number of employees at the end of 2022 was 3,922. This figure rose throughout 2023, culminating in a staffing complement of 4,007 by the end of the year, representing an increase of almost 700 staff members in a five-year period. Currently, we employ a workforce of 4,017 staff.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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That is less.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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No. At the end of last year, it was 4,007. The current number is up ten on that, although it is similar.

Our payroll budget is just over €250 million per year. This finances our salary and allowance costs for the full year of 2024.

While my Department has not issued an embargo on staffing, as is borne out by the numbers employed and the figures on which I have given the Deputy, we are obliged to manage our resourcing within budgetary constraints. The Department remains committed to continuing to do this throughout 2024. Importantly, my Department recognises the requirement to strategically apply its staffing resources while considering departmental and broader governmental priorities. We continually navigate the reality of balancing our workforce resources with maintaining financial sustainability and delivering operational efficiencies.

Our workforce is at an historic high, but we must manage it within our budget. We will continue doing that over the course of the year.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. As he may be aware, new conditions are coming in from Europe every year. The export of slurry is an example. Obviously, such new conditions require resources, as do the various schemes that the Minister introduces. What I am hearing from inside the Department is that people are being told that, if they are short staffed, then they will not get new staff until someone in the Department retires. This might not officially count as an embargo, but it is an embargo.

I wish to address something that is causing concern. I understand that a lairage in Dublin is to close while a lairage will open in the west to handle cattle for export. Resources will be required in that regard.

While this does not have to do with the Department’s staff directly, there is a problem with abattoirs. Councils are saying they have not received an allocation from the FSAI through the Department. This is causing a major problem for the small abattoir sector.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities play a role in providing services to some small abattoirs. Generally, there can be challenges with the availability of vets in various parts of the country, but my Department is committed to ensuring that this service is properly resourced and companies are facilitated as necessary and to working with local authorities, which have a role in respect of small abattoirs.

In the past five years, the Department’s staffing levels have increased by 700. Today, we are at a record number. However, we must stay within our overall budget, so we are restricted from increasing continuously. We must also ensure that resources are allocated in a way that delivers our services in a way that makes maximum use of them.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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For the Minister's information, there is fierce confusion among small abattoirs about the so-called new legislation that is under discussion. Councils are basically washing their hands of abattoirs and say that, since they do not have the resources, they will not go near them. One council has actually refused to help. The Minister is well aware of that situation. I have submitted a formal request that the head person in the Department’s veterinary section meet us, and I hope that request will be granted, but I ask the Minister to take an interest in what is happening with small abattoirs. There seems to be a shift under way whereby we want all the big abattoirs going well. Look at the number of small abattoirs we have lost in recent years. All that councils will say is that there is a rolling contract for a few months and then the Department will take it over. We have been hearing that for ages.

The problem is that there is collateral damage. Abattoirs are now under serious pressure because certain licences are not being granted. I ask the Minister to take an interest in that over the coming months.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I certainly will take an interest in that. It is something I am very committed to because I want to see our small abattoirs being supported. I know we have seen a significant change in the landscape over the past decade or two in relation to the number of abattoirs in the country. There has been significant consolidation, but I want to ensure the services that small abattoirs need are provided to them. For most of the small abattoirs, veterinary services are supplied through the local authority vets. My Department, working with the Food Safety Authority, has a role in this. It also works with the local authorities. There have been additional challenges since the application of the Brexit veterinary health certification requirements. Everyone has worked hard to respond to that and make sure those resources are in place. That is something I have been monitoring closely and will continue to do so they are able to adjust to that. There have been some challenges there, but we are trying to make sure they are worked through and the supports and backup that are needed are in place.