Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 418: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of public sector places made vacant by maternity or other leave that have not been filled since the implementation of the embargo on recruitment and overtime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4258/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's staffing numbers are controlled by the March 2009 Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotions and the Employment Control Framework 2010-2014 which seeks to reduce public service numbers generally. As a result most vacancies arising in the Department are not being filled, whether they are permanent staff losses due to retirement or departure from the Department, or temporary vacancies arising from maternity or other leave. The Department has reorganized its business structure to reflect reduced staffing numbers while ensuring delivery of key priorities. In the period from March 2009, 54 staff have taken maternity leave and currently there are 50 staff on career breaks (including incentivised career breaks).