Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff that have been lost by the four Dublin region local authorities each year for the past five years, in tabular form, per local authority; if he is satisfied that each of these local authorities are adequately staffed in view of the great pressure facing these local authorities and their staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12914/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service was introduced in March 2009 in response to the financial crisis. My Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities, and any exceptions to the moratorium in local authorities require sanction from my Department.

Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each City and County 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 City and County Managers, in the first instance, to ensure that the moratorium is implemented while the appropriate service levels are maintained. My Department examines all staffing sanction requests on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints. In considering sanction requests public safety, maintaining key front line services, and economic issues are given precedence.

The reduction in staff numbers at each of the four Dublin Region Local Authorities is set out in the table below on a whole time equivalent basis (WTE).