Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 522: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of Dublin Fire Brigade personnel that will be retiring at the end of February 2012; and the remaining number of staff members. [11253/12]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 523: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the minimum staffing levels for the Dublin Fire Brigade. [11254/12]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money spent on the most recent recruitment drive process for the Dublin Fire Brigade panel. [11255/12]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money currently being spent on overtime within the Dublin Fire Brigade. [11256/12]

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to ensure that the Dublin Fire Brigade panel is reinstated; and when vacancies arise the replacement staff are found from this panel. [11257/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 to 526, inclusive, together.

The recruitment moratorium in the Public Service, which was introduced by the Government in March 2009 as an emergency measure in response to the financial crisis facing the State, 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 the condition that the overall staffing levels in the local government sector are reduced in line with the employment control framework. Under the terms of the moratorium, all staffing requests must be agreed with my Department, which works closely with local authorities to ensure 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 section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each County and City Manager is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements, including recruitment and day to day operational measures, 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 the reduction in staff numbers is managed so the appropriate service level is maintained. The cost of operational overtime for Dublin Fire Brigade in 2011 was €3.09 million, which equates to 4.93% of payroll. This is expected to reduce to €1.5 million per annum following the implementation of Croke Park proposals. I understand that 15 Dublin Fire Brigade operational employees are expected to retire between January and February 2012. The number employed at the end of February will be 861. The number of fire fighters employed by Dublin City Council at the end of December 2011 was 876 whole-time equivalent full-time fire fighters and 26 retained fire fighters. This compares to the June 2008 figure of 825 whole-time equivalent full-time fire fighters and 54 retained fire fighters. I also understand that the position in relation to staffing in Dublin Fire Brigade is kept under constant review by Dublin City Council management. The panel which was in place since 2007 expired in December 2011 and no further appointments will be made from this panel.