Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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447. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding his Department's recruitment practices in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17791/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for acknowledging the work carried out by the staff in my Department.

My Department appointed a newly recruited Veterinary Inspector to the Tralee office on 16 April 2018 and a Technical Agricultural Office is due to start work in this office on 5 June 2018.  My Officials are working with our recruitment partners, the Public Appointments Service to fill 2 further Technical Agricultural Officer posts in the Kerry area.  My Department is also exploring options to fill a Supervisory role in the Tralee Office. 

My Department avails of the workforce planning process to identify the critical resource needs required to deliver our business goals.  Workforce planning is a key tool in enabling my Department to forecast its current and future staffing needs.

The Workforce Plan aims to ensure a long-term, proactive and strategic plan by which my Department achieves the right level of talent in each location and Division at the right time.  My Department operates in a rapidly changing environment and its structure must facilitate the flexibility to deploy resources as the need arises.   

Staffing levels are constantly monitored and the amount of resources available for any business area or location, including Co. Kerry, is constantly being assessed.  Critical needs, including those arising following staff retirements are considered by my Management Board and resources are allocated as required to meet the evolving business needs of my Department.

I am satisfied that adequate staffing levels have been maintained in the Kerry region to provide excellent service and quality results to the customers we serve.