Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 506: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a cycling officer in a local authority (details supplied) is leaving their post and that the post will not be renewed because of the public service recruitment moratorium and the negative impact that this vacancy will cause; if he is in a position to direct that this important role is filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41254/11]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will grant a derogation from the public service recruitment moratorium in respect of a front-line service position within a local authority (details supplied) that is due to fall vacant in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41255/11]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has been briefed by the Dublin city manager on Dublin City Council's cycling policy; if he will indicate if the DCC cycling officer position will be retained and filled; if there are any other local authority cycling officer posts vacant throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41295/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his position regarding the continued funding of Dublin City Council's cycling officer by the Department. [1595/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 506, 507, 538 and 590 together.

The recruitment moratorium in the Public Service was introduced by the Government in March 2009 as an emergency measure in response to the financial crisis facing the State. The moratorium remains in place. Under the terms of the moratorium no public service post, however arising, may be filled. When vacancies arise public bodies must reallocate or reorganise work or staff accordingly. My Department has delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium across all local authorities. This is on condition that the overall staffing levels in the local government sector are reduced in line with the Employment Control Framework.

Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each County and City Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, it is a matter for County and City managers, in the first instance, to ensure that the reduction in staff numbers is managed so that the appropriate service level is maintained.

An Independent Review Report on Staffing Levels in Dublin City Council was published on 15 July 2011. The Report identified that staff numbers from the beginning of 2009 up to 2014 could potentially be reduced by 18.65%. At a minimum staff numbers will have been reduced by close to 13% over this period. The Report outlined that certain critical posts would need to be filled as staff left the Council.

Under the terms of the moratorium all staffing requests must be agreed with my Department and my Department works very closely with Dublin City Council to ensure that critical posts are filled while overall numbers are reduced. All staffing sanction requests are examined on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services and the need for further reduction in overall staffing levels and expenditure in the local authority. Under its delegated sanction, as an exception to the moratorium, my Department recently approved a six month extension to the Dublin City Council Cycling Officer's contract. During this period Dublin City Council will consult with the National Transport Authority, review the situation and report to my Department on how the promotion of cycling in Dublin should be addressed in the longer term.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 508: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of requests received from Dublin City Council for permission to employ additional staff in the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of requests that were approved in each of these years; the number of requests that are currently pending in each of these years; if the city manager has reported staff deficiencies in key front-line roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1425/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The information requested in relation to Dublin City Council staff sanction requests received by my Department is outlined in the table.

In 2009, 1 request was received for an acting arrangement and sanction on this basis was granted.

In 2010, 89 requests were received for permanent filling and 78 for temporary/contract filling of posts. Sanction was granted for 67 posts to be filled on a permanent basis, 1 post to be filled on an acting basis and 99 posts to be filled on a contract basis.

In 2011, 23 requests were received for permanent filling and 29 for temporary/contract filling of posts. Sanction was granted for 16 posts to be filled on a permanent basis, 23 posts to be filled on a contract basis, 1 request is on hold, 5 requests were refused, 1 request was withdrawn and 6 requests are pending.

In 2012, 2 requests were received for permanent filling and these requests are pending.

The Local Government Efficiency Review Group's Report published in July 2010 recommended that the staff numbers and the number of senior managers in Dublin and Cork City Councils should be independently reviewed, with a target of reducing numbers by at least 15%. An Independent Review Group was established to carry out the Dublin review and the Group asked Dublin City Council to develop a work plan of actions to reduce staff numbers in line with the recommendations, with a particular emphasis on the number of senior managers. The review process took account of issues such as:

· The necessity to maintain a focus on the delivery of essential front line services to the public;

· The scope for sharing services and collaboration among the Dublin local authorities and with other local authorities

· Government policy in restoring the national finances, and,

· The demands on Dublin and the promotion of Dublin as the capital city.

The Independent Review Group Report on Staffing Levels in Dublin City Council was published on 15 July 2011. The Report identified that staff numbers from the beginning of 2009 up to 2014 could potentially be reduced by 18.65%. At a minimum staff numbers will have been reduced by close to 13% over this period. The Report outlined that certain critical posts would need to be filled as staff left the Council.

Under the terms of the ongoing moratorium on public service recruitment all local authority staffing requests must be sanctioned by my Department. In this regard, my Department works very closely with Dublin City Council to ensure that critical posts are filled while overall numbers are reduced. All staffing sanction requests are examined on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services and the need to further reduce overall staffing levels and expenditure in the local authority. The analysis and findings of the workforce plan and staffing review will help to inform the future staffing decisions in relation to the Council.