Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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395. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her Department's procedure regarding the allocation of permanent positions (details supplied). [44835/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department, like all Government Departments and agencies is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff numbers.

The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new demands across a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.

In accordance with relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circulars and guidelines, when a permanent post is approved to be filled, the assignment will be made from either a panel created through a Public Service competition or from an internal Departmental promotion panel or from the relevant transfer list.

Since the beginning of May 2017, 29 permanent posts have been filled in Longford.

Temporary clerical staff (TCO) are recruited to provide cover for permanent staff who are absent on maternity leave, long term sick leave, the shorter working year scheme and other statutory leave. They are also recruited from time to time to clear backlogs and to assist in the delivery of key projects.

There are currently 18 TCOs serving in the Department’s offices in Longford.

These temporary staff are appointed on a fixed-term or fixed purpose contract basis, neither of which carries entitlement to permanency. Once the purpose for which the person is recruited no longer exists the contract is terminated.