Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 156, inclusive, together.

The temporary clerical officers in the Department’s offices in Carrick-on-Shannon mentioned by the Deputy were recruited to facilitate specific project work on a temporary basis and therefore the question of filling these posts by way of transfer of permanent staff does not arise.

The Department facilitates staff transfers in accordance with the appropriate protocols. In this regard, where a permanent post falls to be filled by transfer the relevant transfer list is consulted. In addition to having to satisfy attendance and performance criteria, the question as to whether the person can be released from their current office/Department arises. There are a number of reasons why someone might not be released e.g. they may be required to serve in their current location for a specified period of time, there may be no suitable replacement available should one be required or the business needs of the office are such that releasing an experienced person cannot be facilitated at that point in time. If a person is not suitable or cannot be released they retain their place on the list for future opportunities and the next person on the list is considered.

An increase in the work undertaken in the Department’s Longford office required the ongoing assignment of a significant number of new staff last year. From a business perspective, and in order to maintain service delivery to those depending on the schemes operated in that office, it has not always been possible to release experienced staff while getting new staff fully trained up. The position is subject to continuous review with a view to being able to facilitate staff transfers when opportunities arise in the future

With regard to the Deputy’s question on the Department’s information section, the ongoing reorganisation of the Communications Unit in the Department will over time see staff redeployed within Sligo to fill vacancies which will, in the short term, impact on the requirement to assign additional staff to that location. The redeployment of staff within Sligo is not expected to impact on the other locations identified by the Deputy.