Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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514. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of temporary staff that are being employed at each local and divisional office throughout the country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13460/17]

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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515. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost of employing temporary staff at local and divisional offices throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13461/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together.

There are currently 320 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) employed in the Department.

Temporary clerical staff are recruited to cover absences of permanent staff on maternity leave, long term sick leave, other statutory leave and also to provide cover for some staff availing of the Shorter Working Year scheme. They are also recruited to alleviate work pressure in certain areas, and to assist in the roll-out of the Public Services Card project.

TCOs are paid on a weekly pay scale ranging from €419.29 to €715.62 for staff in the Single Pension Scheme or €432.45 to €680.62 for staff in the Unestablished Pension Scheme post 2004. Some of the costs involved in the recruitment of temporary staff can be offset, for example, where permanent staff avail of certain unpaid leave such as the shorter working year scheme or where staff on long-term sick leave are on a reduced salary.

The table below shows the various locations where the TCOs are assigned.

TABLE 1 – LOCATION OF TEMPORARY CLERICAL OFFICERS