Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason temporary staff are being taken on at a local social welfare office (details supplied) in County Kildare when there are a large amount of permanent staff on a waiting list seeking transfers there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11598/12]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider the case of a Department employee living in County Kildare seeking transfer to a local office, even on a temporary basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11604/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 425 and 426 together.

As an exception to the current moratorium on recruitment across the civil and public service, the Department has received limited sanction to recruit temporary clerical officers to provide cover for staff who are absent on a temporary basis due to, for example, sick leave or maternity leave. When filling a vacancy the Department is obliged, in the first instance, to fill the post by the redeployment of staff from other departments or agencies. Where there are no staff available from the redeployment panel, the Department then seeks to fill the post by reference to the relevant transfer list. In accordance with protocols agreed centrally with unions and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the names of officers seeking to transfer to alternative locations are recorded on the relevant transfer list in strict order of date of application. The Department has no discretion to deviate from the order of the lists.