Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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502. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of unemployed persons in County Kerry that will be given positions on a temporary basis in county council works such as drainage schemes and general outdoor maintenance during 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1098/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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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.

My Department has not received a staff sanction request from Kerry County Council for temporary staff in relation to drainage schemes and general outdoor maintenance.