Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will, for a set period of time, permit the recruitment of extra staff to Westmeath Vocational Education Committee in order to deal with the backlog of applications for student grants. [28756/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public sector is being implemented following a decision by the previous Government in Mach 2009, and is binding upon all Government departments, non-commercial state bodies and agencies. No public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion or payment of an allowance for performance of duties at a higher grade. Where vacancies arise, departments and agencies must reallocate or reorganise work or staff accordingly. The Department of Finance has advised that any exceptions to this principle will arise in very limited circumstances only and will require the prior sanction of the Minister for Finance. To date, my Department has not received any correspondence from Co Westmeath Vocational Education Committee in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy.