Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 279: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the recruitment embargo in the wider public sector; the position regarding persons on panels who were waiting to be called into employment; if all panels will stay in existence and if positions will be offered to those on panels whenever recruitment commences again; the position regarding temporary staff who were recruited in cases pending panels being set up; if these are still in employment; if their contracts are being rolled over; the number of temporary or contract staff that exist; his views on a claim from a person on a panel who cannot now be recruited but who feels discriminated against by a temporary staff member who failed to get a sufficiently high panel place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31027/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The recruitment and promotion moratorium announced on Friday 27th March 2009 applies to the civil service, local authorities, non-commercial state bodies, the Garda Síochána and the Permanent Defence Forces. It is not an embargo. An embargo would imply that no filling of vacancies whatsoever could take place. The Minister for Finance has the authority to allow for the filling of some vacancies in very exceptional circumstances. The Government decision also provides that vacancies may be filled by redeployment of staff from other Departments or public bodies with the sanction of the Department of Finance. In addition, arrangements for the health and education sectors have been modulated to ensure that key services are maintained insofar as possible.

The moratorium decision also applies to temporary appointments on a fixed-term basis and to the renewal of such contracts. Any exceptions to this principle, which will arise in very limited circumstances only, require the prior sanction of the Department of Finance. Such sanction would be given only if the Department of Finance was satisfied that the post is essential to the delivery of a public service or performance of an essential function and that every effort has been made to fill the post by redeployment. With regard to persons on panels, the position is that panels from open competitions generally stay in place until the next competition is held. Interdepartmental promotion panels have a definite life span and this is agreed centrally with the relevant Civil Service union. Departmental promotion panels also have a definite life span and this is agreed locally with the relevant Civil Service union.

In the context of the Moratorium, a decision has been taken that interdepartmental promotion panels will be allowed to lapse as the closure date is reached. Decisions in respect of Departmental promotion panels will be taken at Departmental level. Regarding the position of temporary staff, in general, such staff are recruited for specific business needs and they remain in the relevant posts while the business need continues. As the wider public sector includes a very broad range of organisations and bodies, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department does not have detailed information on the number of temporary or contract staff that exist. However, I have asked my Department to contact other Departments and Offices to seek data for bodies under their aegis and my Department will convey the results to the Deputy.

Regarding the question of a person on a panel feeling discriminated against, the Deputy will be appreciate that I do not have details of the instance in question and moreover that I cannot comment on individual cases. I am satisfied, however, that the moratorium is necessary and appropriate in the current economic circumstances. No decision has yet been taken on future recruitment and promotion.