Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when those placed on a panel of candidates selected for appointment as technical agricultural officers with his Department can expect to be appointed; if an embargo exists on hiring within his Department which would mean these positions will not be filled in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6739/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Given the current difficult economic situation and the need for my Department, along with other Departments and the public sector in general, to achieve increased efficiencies and manage our business with reduced resources, it is clear that not all vacancies arising in my department can be filled. Accordingly, my Department is reviewing all of its operations and functions to achieve these necessary increased efficiencies and aims to fill only those positions that can be resourced, are essential and are of high priority from a business viewpoint. As and when such positions are identified, including any positions at technical agricultural officer level, my department will seek to fill those posts in the normal way.