Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of agency staff employed by her Department and any division thereof at present; the breakdown of said agency staff by grade; the same figures for 2009 and 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36210/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I understand that by 'agency' the Deputy is referring to temporary staff. Recruitment of temporary clerical officers is carried out, on behalf of my Department, by the Public Appointments Service. Temporary clerical staff are recruited on a contract basis to cover absences of permanent staff on maternity leave, long term sick leave, carers leave and also to provide cover for some staff availing of the shorter working year scheme. My Department also employs short term temporary staff as part of the WAM (Willing, Able, Mentoring) programme, and staff on short term post graduate work placements.

Temporary contracts are offered for a fixed purpose and the term can vary according to the purpose of the contract. Table A details the numbers employed as temporary clerical officers, on temporary contracts, in the Department of Social Protection from January 2009 to date. Table B details the numbers employed on post graduate intern work placements and as part of the WAM programme, in the Department of Social Protection from January 2009 to date.

Table A

Table B