Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 32: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the number of outstanding applications for public service appointment replacements when the post is deemed necessary; the number that have been deemed necessary to fill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35142/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, in order to protect crucial services exceptions to the Moratorium may be granted for cases that come within the following limited circumstances:

a) statutory posts which have to be filled for legal reasons;

b) where failure to fill posts would result in a breach of EU/international

regulations and impact upon exports etc.;

c) safety related posts - failure to fill them could leave the state open to

potential legal liabilities or for security reasons;

d) specialist/technical posts to ensure continuity of operations e.g. legal

officers; laboratory staff, maritime safety, etc.; or

e) to ensure continuity of frontline services.

Furthermore, in the case of the Education and Health Sector a number of grades are exempted from the Moratorium in order to ensure that these vital services are maintained. Decisions on the granting of Moratorium exceptions are made by my Department when a valid case is made by the relevant line Department. The most recent data on the number of moratorium exceptions, requested by the Deputy, has being compiled and will be forwarded to him.