Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of any organisation under his Department which has informed him of staffing difficulties which may impinge upon its ability to oversee effectively the spending of public funds; and his views regarding same. [28368/11]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the organisations under his Department for which an employment control framework has been agreed; the current numbers they have in place; if they have been waiting more than one month to receive sanction to proceed to fill or retain any positions in spite of such positions falling below the agreed ECF ceiling. [28384/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 136 together.

The current Employment Control Framework agreed for my Department covers the period 2010 to 2014 and comprehends staff working in a range of bodies and organisations across the education area. Details regarding the framework and the bodies and organisations covered by it are set out in the table.

Under the terms of the Framework my Department has delegated sanction to fill vacancies arising in certain areas, subject to the ceiling figures for those areas not being exceeded, e.g. in the cases of teachers, special needs assistants, certain non-teaching staff in schools and staff at third level. In other cases, in line with Government policy and the moratorium on public sector numbers, requests for exceptions to the Moratorium must be sought from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform prior to the awarding or renewal of an employment contract. Such requests are considered promptly by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the decision communicated to the body requesting the exception. In a small number of cases further information regarding particular vacancies has been required by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which has had the effect of extending the period before a post can be filled.

Each area of my Department, together with the bodies and agencies under the aegis of the Department, is required to order and prioritise its work and working practices to take account of any limitations resulting from the application of the Employment Control Framework. This process of effectively managing staffing resources is ongoing and is regularly monitored with a view to ensuring continued effective delivery by the Department of its key services.