Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason some Department staff who are underutilised are not moved to areas of greatest need as recommended in the report of the organisational review programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46466/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There have been considerable fluctuations in the functions of my Department since its inception in 2002 including taking on responsibility for maritime matters in 2006 and for regional and local roads and the management of the National Vehicle and Driver File in January 2008. The net effect has been a significant increase in both the policy and service delivery functions of the Department and a great degree of change for staff. The frequent churn and change and the fact that the Department is evidently stretched, as acknowledged by the Organisational Review Programme (ORP) has militated against rapid re-deployment of staff to areas of greatest need in recent years. In response to the findings of the ORP my Department has prepared an action plan which includes the implementation of a structured approach to the assignment, development and promotion of staff. The structure of the Department is being re-aligned to focus on updated priorities and a resource capacity study will be conducted during 2009 to review the capacity of the reducing staff quota to deliver on the Department's agenda and how available resources might be deployed more efficiently.