Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will detail the local authorities which do not have arts officers; if he will outline the plans to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, day to day staffing and organisational arrangements are a matter for each local authority.

My Department has a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium on public sector recruitment in the local authority sector. Where vacancies arise, it is a matter for each local authority, in the first instance, to reorganise and reallocate work to meet requirements. Any exceptions to the moratorium require sanction from this Department.

In considering sanction requests public safety, maintaining key front line services and economic issues are given precedence as is the requirement to avoid increases in overall staffing levels.

Based on a survey of local authorities I understand that all are satisfied with current staffing arrangements in relation to the Arts function.