Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

424. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason persons are being recruited to her Department while at the same time employees in the carer's allowance section are being let go; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18936/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

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 increasing demands in a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.

Permanent staff are recruited for a number of reasons: to provide additional resources to priority work areas; to replace staff who have been promoted or transferred elsewhere; and to replace staff who have resigned or retired from the Department. From January 2017 to January 2018, 12 permanent staff were recruited to the Carer’s Allowance section.

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.

Temporary contracts are offered for a fixed term or a fixed purpose. In the case of a fixed purpose contract the term can vary according to the purpose of the contract. All temporary contracts are kept under review and are terminated when the purpose for the contract has ceased.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

425. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the employment contract of a person (details supplied) will be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18937/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Temporary clerical staff are recruited to provide cover for permanent staff who are absent on maternity leave, long term sick leave, shorter working year scheme and other statutory leave. They are also recruited to clear backlogs and to assist in the roll-out of the Public Services Card project.

Temporary staff are appointed on a fixed-term or fixed purpose contract basis. Once the purpose for which the person is recruited no longer exists the contract is terminated.

The person referred to was recruited from the Public Appointments Service temporary clerical officer panel in July 2014. The purpose for his fixed purpose contract was specifically to deal with the backlog of claims in Longford while awaiting the assignment of permanent staff.

Following the recent assignment of permanent staff to the location, the requirement for the temporary clerical support has now ceased and there are no plans to extend the relevant contracts beyond the given notice date.