Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies his Department sanctioned on the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board since July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31059/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Deputy’s office has clarified that the question refers to the number of vacancies his Department sanctioned to fill in Waterford Wexford ETB in respect of non-teaching staff whose salaries are funded from the ETB Main-Scheme pay budget since July 2013.

In order to strengthen the senior management team in the ETB sector, my Department sanctioned the filling of a number of Director posts in ETBs which included a Director of Further Education & Training post and a Director of Organisation Support & Development post in Waterford Wexford ETB.  These Director posts are being filled through a Public Appointments Service recruitment process.

In relation to administrative vacancies in ETBs, my Department’s overall approach is guided by what is affordable within the ETB budget, how does the staffing levels in the ETB compare to similar sized ETBs and what are the staffing pressures in the ETB and what are the ETB priorities re same.  In the case of Waterford & Wexford ETB, my Department recently met with the senior management from the ETB to discuss critical vacancies within its Head Office arising from retirements etc.  Following this meeting, my Department sanctioned the filling of two temporary Grade VII posts (including the associated back-filling) in order to assist the ETB manage its payroll function and to also support and drive the restructuring and streamlining process that is underway in the ETB.

My Department has also sanctioned the filling of an Adult Education Officer on an acting basis in Waterford Wexford ETB.