Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A moratorium exists in relation to the filling of posts in the public sector generally and accordingly, the Teaching Council cannot fill any post without the prior approval of my Department and the Department of Finance. Requests for the filling of posts are considered in the context of the Government's policy on public sector numbers and overall budgetary policy.

Although the Teaching Council has not requested sanction for the creation of the position of Director of Adult Education, my Department has had discussions with the Council in relation to a request for the appointment of an Education Officer and other staffing requirements of the Council.

The announcement of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that the Deputy refers to concerns third level education and a relaxation of the numbers ceiling applying to non-Exchequer funded posts in the higher education sector, in order to facilitate the maximum possible employment creation potential of that sector, while also encouraging institutions to seek to diversify their sources of funding away from the Exchequer. The Minister envisages that similar type arrangements will also apply to contract posts involved in research activity in non commercial state agencies, and my officials will explore this matter further in the context of the Teaching Council.