Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

750. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason the vacant position of wildlife ranger in north County Kerry has never been filled; his plans to advertise the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19518/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

My Department has recently worked with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) to create a Conservation Ranger panel from which positions across the country will be filled. The campaign was advertised by the PAS and was open for applications until 14 January 2021 and my Department is currently working to fill Conservation Ranger posts across the country from this panel.

The new appointees will be allocated to fill vacant positions where it is considered that insufficient cover exists at present. It should be noted that, where such vacancies exist, a measure of cover is already provided by way of higher management grades, particularly District Conservation Officers.