Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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196. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vacancies currently in each departmental local office; whether the number of FRS operatives across all regions has been reduced in the past 18 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36365/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to ensuring that a highly skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet business needs and uses workforce planning to identify and assess these needs for all locations. Recruitment is ongoing in my Department at present, and employment opportunities continue to be advertised either by the Public Jobs or by my Department's Human Resources Division. I am aware of the need for delivery of prompt and efficient services and all critical staffing vacancies are filled as soon as possible upon candidates becoming available.

My Department undertakes a broad range of services in meeting its business objectives, the delivery of which is supported by staff across administrative and specialist grades. The assignment of staff to duties varies from time to time reflecting changing business needs, seasonal variations in activities and disease situations. The delivery of my Department's objectives with regard to the TB eradication programme's wildlife programme is further supported by FRS operatives. There are currently two vacancies for these operatives in the country

The work of my Department is supported through the staffing of a network of offices nationwide including at my Departments Local Offices and Regional Veterinary Offices. Currently my Department’s Local Offices have 4 vacancies and the Regional Veterinary Offices have a further 95 vacancies. The table below provides further details:

The information is reflective of the position on 30th June 2025. Work is actively ongoing to address these vacancies with minimal delay.