Written answers

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

Department of An Taoiseach

Departmental Staff

8:00 pm

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 221: To ask the Taoiseach the number of people currently employed in the drafting section of the Attorney General's Office; the plans to recruit more staff; his views on whether more permanent staff are required and that the only way to acquire experienced parliamentary draftspersons is to give them the necessary experience; his further views on whether the outsourcing of this work means that staff are not getting this experience; his plans to deal with this staff shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27305/06]

Photo of Bertie AhernBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The current sanctioned staffing levels for permanent staff in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel is 19. However, this figure can increase to 25 provided such an increase is offset by an identical reduction in the number of Contract Drafter positions. At present there is 1 vacancy for a permanent member of staff.

Earlier this year, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, the Office held a recruitment competition for permanent drafting staff. Only three applicants were successful at all stages of the competition and were offered positions. Of these, two accepted the offer and both have taken up duty in the last few months. The remaining person declined the offer. The Office intends to run another recruitment competition early in the New Year when the pool of eligible experienced candidates will have increased.

The Office has sanction to fill up to eight Contract Drafter positions in total. Currently, it engages seven Drafters on a contract basis. However, not all of these work full-time and consequently their contribution is equivalent to five full-time Drafters.

Most Contract Drafters engaged by the Office have significant drafting experience in common-law jurisdictions similar to our own. In the past, all have previously held senior drafting positions, including former heads of office of the UK Office of Parliamentary Counsel, the Canadian Federal Drafting Office and the Office of the Scottish Parliamentary Counsel.

During their time in the Office, the Contract Drafters are also involved in the training of newer staff who can then benefit from the experience of both the contract staff and the permanent staff more senior to themselves. There is a formal training programme for new drafters with heavy emphasis on practical experience. The work of the Contract Drafters is structured to ensure that there is liaison between both contract and permanent staff to facilitate a transfer of skills.

The continued engagement of Contract Drafters is currently necessary having regard to the extensive Government Legislation Programme. The timescale within which complex and lengthy Bills are required to be produced puts a premium on experience which is significantly provided by the Contract Drafters, whereas the more recently recruited staff have not yet acquired such experience. However, the engagement of Contract Drafters does not impinge on the experience opportunities provided to permanent staff. When it is felt that there are sufficient experienced permanent staff available to the Office, the engagement of Contract Drafters will be phased out. In that regard the position will be regularly reviewed.

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