Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the allocation of additional funding, the HSA undertook an organisational review to ensure that the future organisational structures, resources and ways of working would be fit for purpose to meet its broad mandates.

This gave rise to the overall number of sanctioned positions now at 317 across both administrative and professional and technical grades. The recruitment of additional resources is being managed on a phased basis and following extensive recruitment, over 190 appointments have been made since 2021.

The staff of the Health and Safety Authority is made up of those in administration and inspector grades. The inspector grades comprise of Grade I (senior inspectors) as well as Grade II and Grade III inspectors. Inspectors operate across all HSA mandates which include occupational health and safety, chemicals, accreditation, and market surveillance. Administration grades follow the civil service structure of Clerical Officer, Executive Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Assistant Principal and Principal Officer.

As of 31st December 2023, the HSA has 55 WTE positions vacant, 38 of which relate to the position of Grade III inspector. There are also 27 pending appointments, whereby candidates who were successful following a recruitment campaign are under consideration for appointment to vacant positions across various grades. The necessary pre-clearance processes are now under way, after which contracts will be issued to successful candidates.

The number of vacant posts by grade are set out in the following table.

The cost per annum is dependent on each individual grade, as outlined as follows.

Assumptions;

1. Figures based on starting point of the relevant grade for all positions.
2. Provision included for Employer PRSI calculated at 11.05%
3. Recruitment and on-boarding cost of €15k for positions based on batch recruitment.