Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of vacant civil servant or public servant positions in his Department on 1 October 2009, and in the State bodies or organisations answerable to him; the grade and the average duration of the vacancies; and if an application has been made to have these positions exempted from the public service recruitment and promotions embargo. [35039/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The authorised staffing number (whole-time equivalent) in my Department on 1 October 2009 was 647.50. The total number of staff serving (whole-time equivalent) on the 27 March 2009 (the date of issue of the Department of Finance letter advising Departments and Offices of the moratorium) was 608.61. Serving numbers at 1 October were 581.53. Prioritisation of resource allocation in my Department, including the management of vacancies, is carried out on an ongoing basis with reference to the Department's business needs at any given time, the level of expenditure available from which to meet those commitments and the recommendations of the Report of the Special Group on Public Sector Numbers and Expenditure.

In relation to the Offices under the aegis of my Department, I have been advised the following is the position:

WTE = Whole-time equivalent

Given the overall numbers involved, and the fact that organisations are constantly managing their resources and vacancies, which will include the necessity to re-allocate, or reconfigure work areas and posts, it would not be possible to accurately reflect the duration of vacant posts.

I have also been advised by the Revenue Commissioner that they are involved in ongoing discussions with the Department of Finance about its staffing needs in the context of its projected staffing levels at the end of 2009 and the Report of the Special Group on Public Sector Numbers and Expenditure.

OPW is currently compiling the information required by the Deputy and will forward details directly to the deputy as soon as possible.