Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's policy is not to seek replacements for staff availing of maternity leave or other similar types of short term leave such as annual leave or sick leave. In the context of the moratorium, where necessary, responsibility for the work of officers who leave and are not replaced is dealt with by way of reorganisation and restructuring of work allocations and staffing. My Department will continue to manage its staffing resources within the budget allocation in a manner which will ensure that priority is given to achieving its key activities and objectives.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's mission is to provide the Government, Taoiseach and Ministers of State with the support, policy advice and information necessary for the effective conduct of Government. By its nature, the work of the Department mainly entails close engagement with other Departments and State agencies, social partnership and other representative groups, the Northern Ireland Executive, Northern Ireland political parties and other civil society groups across the island, international organisations, other Governments etc.

My Department has limited interaction with the general public other than in its reception area, my office, the offices of the Ministers of State assigned to my Department and the Government Press and Information Service. Of the 191 whole time equivalents (wte) employed by my Department at the end of December 2010, 36 (wte) were employed in these areas. In addition, 8 staff from my Department who are assigned to other duties during the week, work on the Saturday tours of Government buildings.