Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will be hiring temporary staff to cope with any backlog at an office (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29229/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An additional 12 temporary posts were assigned to Cork Local Office to deal with the increased volume of claims as a result of the downturn in the economy. However, the Department had a difficulty securing permanent staff at SO and EO grades to fill the posts. As an interim measure temporary Clerical Officers were recruited to fill the posts, pending the assignment of permanent staff. These temporary contracts are terminated as permanent staff are assigned to the office. There are no plans to hire further temporary staff at this time.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that existing temporary staff at an office (details supplied) are having their contracts terminated; if she is satisfied that, first, the purposes for which they were hired were met and, second, that there will be no impact to clients or remaining staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29230/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Six temporary clerical officers are employed on fixed purpose contracts in the Department's Local Office at Hanover Street in Cork. The three temporary officers referred to in the Deputy's question are employed on fixed purpose contracts to provide temporary cover pending the assignment of permanent staff to that office. Three permanent assignments were recently made in the Cork Local Office. I am satisfied that the purpose for which the temporary clerical officers were recruited has ceased. Allowing for an overlapping period, the people concerned have been advised that their contracts of employment will terminate on Friday, 4 November 2011. There will be no change in the overall staffing number in the Cork Local Office.