Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 89: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of vacancies which are expected to arise by the end of 2009 which will remain unfilled as a result of the circular issued by the Department of Finance on 27 March 2009 in respect of her Department and each of the State agencies or boards for which she has responsibility. [19828/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is not possible to accurately predict the number of vacancies expected to arise in my Department by the end of 2009, which will remain unfilled as a result of the circular issued by the Department of Finance on 27 March 2009, which placed a moratorium on the filling of vacancies in the Public Service.

The only area where predictions can be made relate to those staff who will retire in accordance with the compulsory retirement scheme. Since 27 March 2009 three staff members have retired from the Department with a further five to retire before the end of 2009. Consequential vacancies will not be filled.

Additional vacancies will be created as a result of the following incentives introduced by the Minister for Finance in recent days: o Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (Circular 12/09), whereby employees of 50 years of age and over who have already accrued entitlement to preserved superannuation benefits under a public service scheme, and who have not yet reached normal preserved pension age can apply for early retirement. The Scheme is open to applications from 1 May 2009 until 1 September 2009 after which the scheme will be reviewed in the context of Budget 2010. o Special Civil Service Incentive Career Break Scheme 2009 (Circular 13/2009) whereby staff can avail of applying for a three year career break and will be paid an incentive payment of a third of gross basic pay to a maximum of €12,500, per year, payable quarterly in arrears, for each year of the 3 year period of the career break incentive scheme (this figure is based on staff who work full time).

Both schemes will result in some staff retirements and career breaks with consequential vacancies, however at this early stage it is not possible to predict what the take up will be in relation to these schemes.

IAASA

There are currently three vacancies in IAASA which, further to the aforementioned circular, IAASA is not permitted to fill.

Competition Authority

At this moment in time, the Competition Authority can give no clear indication of the number of vacancies that might arise in 2009.

FÁS

The number of vacancies that are expected to arise by the end of 2009 and that will remain unfilled is 190.6 (full-time equivalent posts).

Labour Court

The Labour Court expects that 2 vacancies will arise among Labour Court Members.

Labour Relations Commission

The LRC is aware of at least 2 vacancies that will arise in 2009.

National Consumer Agency

The NCA currently has 51 staff. Two members of staff are due to retire during 2009.

IDA Ireland

The number of vacancies in IDA Ireland that are expected to arise by the end of 2009 which will remain unfilled as a result of the circular will be 13 posts.

Enterprise Ireland

The number of vacancies that are expected to arise in Enterprise Ireland by the end of 2009 is 21.

Shannon Development

Shannon Development has a staff complement of 128.5. At present there are 7 vacancies for which there can be no external recruitment.

A total of 3 contract staff will exit the company and not have their contacts renewed before the end of 2009. At this point in time, it is very difficult to anticipate what additional vacancies may arise.

Forfas

Forfas had 8 vacancies at the date of the Moratorium letter. 3 further vacancies have arisen since that date. A further 6 known vacancies will arise by the end of 2009. At this point in time, it is very difficult to anticipate what additional vacancies may arise.

National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)

It is anticipated that the number of vacancies could reach more than 20 by year end.

InterTradeIreland

InterTradeIreland is currently aware of 2 vacancies that will arise by the end of 2009. InterTradeIreland is a North South Body established under the Good Friday Agreement and co-funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. The applicability of the Department of Finance circular is being considered by the Finance Departments in both jurisdictions and the matter will be addressed by the North South Ministerial Council.

County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs)

Staff of the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) are employed by their individual Board. Details are set out below.