Written answers

Tuesday, 1 July 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Local Authority Staff

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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323. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to review the current situation for science qualified staff working in local authorities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28200/14]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Under section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is empowered to declare appropriate qualifications for a specified employment under a local authority or for such of the employments as belong to a specified class, description or grade. These qualifications are known as national qualifications and are declared following consultation with all key stakeholders. Where qualifications have not been declared for a particular post, the above-mentioned legislation also enables a local authority, with my consent, to fix the qualifications for any employment as necessary. Members of staff may apply to enter a confined or open competition for any post where they meet the required qualifications as declared. My Department currently is not in receipt of a request to review or declare new qualifications for any science-related posts.

Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive Officer is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. When vacancies arise public bodies must reallocate or reorganise work or staff accordingly. Any exceptions to this principle, which will arise in very limited circumstances only, require prior sanction. 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.

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