Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff with a degree in environmental science that are employed by local authorities, his Department or agencies under his remit; the standing of the degree in his Department; if same is a requirement for many local authority positions; the promotional prospects that are available to staff with this degree with reference to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28747/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department employs staff with a wide range of professional qualifications in the environment area, including natural heritage. In addition, many administrative staff have degrees in a variety of subjects. However, my Department's Human Resources records do not hold information in a way that would readily identify the number of staff that hold a degree in Environmental Science. My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, requires that all professional and technical staff recruited into my Department possess the necessary qualifications and experience for the posts concerned and these are specified for the individual competitions. The skills and competencies for promotional posts are specific to the requirements of the posts being filled.

My Department does not hold information on qualifications held by staff of local authorities. As Minister, I may declare qualifications for any post within the local authority sector with reference to the standard of the qualification. All vacant posts in local authorities must be filled through the appropriate recruitment processes. Day to day operational matters, including the qualifications of staff of the agencies under the aegis of my Department, are matters for the individual agencies concerned.