Written answers
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Department of Agriculture and Food
Departmental Staff
9:00 pm
Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 825: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of staff and the grades of these staff who are located in his Department's office in Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford; the number of staff and their respective grades who were located in this office for each of the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009; if he will detail the year in which the greatest number of the Department's staff were located in this decentralised office and also the year in which the least number of the Department's staff were based here; if it is the case that there has been a decline in staff numbers, the reason for such a downturn in view of the decentralisation commitments to the region; the staffing outlook for the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14612/10]
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The full time equivalent staffing levels, broken down as requested by the Deputy, in my Department's office in Johnstown Castle are contained in the table.
| Grade | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Mid-April '10 |
| Services Officer | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Clerical Officer | 151.1 | 142 | 127.8 | 127.5 | 105.7 | 101.8 | 102.9 |
| Staff Officer | 15.9 | 16.7 | 16.6 | 16.4 | 12.6 | 10.3 | 10 |
| Executive Officer | 84.4 | 83.4 | 70.8 | 72.1 | 71.5 | 70.2 | 62.4 |
| Administrative Officer | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Higher Exec. Officer | 49.2 | 50.2 | 48.2 | 48.2 | 48 | 46.8 | 40 |
| Assistant Principal | 18 | 18 | 16.6 | 16.6 | 17.8 | 15.8 | 13 |
| Principal | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4 | 3.6 |
| Agricultural Inspector | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Asst. Agricultural Inspector | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Senior Inspector | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Forestry Inspector – Grade 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Forestry Inspector Grade 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Forestry Inspector Grade 3 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Supervisory Agricultural Officer | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Area Superintendent | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Veterinary Inspector | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sen. Super. Vet. Inspector | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Telephonist | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 355.4 | 345.1 | 311.8 | 311. 2 | 287.2 | 277.9 | 254.9 |
Staffing levels in Johnstown Castle were at their highest in 2004. While staff numbers there have decreased by 100 since that time, this is reflective of the staffing trend across my Department generally where overall staffing levels have decreased by over 750 since the end of 2004. As the Deputy is aware, a moratorium on recruitment and promotion has been in place since 27 March 2009. My Department is continually reviewing its functions and resources in light of changing circumstances.
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