Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of local authority positions that have become vacant in 2008 and to date in 2009 in local authorities that have not been filled due to the recruitment embargo; the positions that have been effected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42960/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department has a delegated sanction from the Department of Finance for implementation of the general moratorium on the filling of public sector posts in the local authority sector, on the condition that the overall staffing levels in the local authority sector are to be reduced significantly by the end of 2010 in adherence with the Government's policy on staffing and numbers in the public sector.

Under the new arrangements which issued to the local authority sector on 20 August 2009, local authorities are expected, where vacancies arise, to consider options for reorganisation and reallocation of work to meet requirements. Any exceptions to this principle, which will arise in very limited circumstances, require sanction from my Department.

The number of local authority positions that have become vacant in 2008 and 2009 is not held by my Department.