Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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521. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will lift the embargo on county councils outdoor staff to enable councils to carry out essential work in communities, as committed to by the Government in the property tax resource, as this will enable councils to make full-time employees of the current temporary gateway workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17714/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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As announced in Budget 2015, the moratorium and the Employment Control Framework for the Public Service have been lifted but recruitment/promotion will be subject to adherence to binding 3 year pay ceilings. Staffing resources must be managed within these overall ceilings. Detailed arrangements in terms of the local government sector will be worked out between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. This includes budgetary matters. In this regard, it is a matter for Chief Executives to ensure that the appropriate service levels are maintained.