Departmental staffing and salary costs
The Minister reported 5,042 staff and a projected 1983 salary cost of £44 million. Staffing had been reduced through post restrictions and vacancies left unfilled, while new schemes were staffed by redeployment; the Minister lacked information on redundancy costs and was unsure of a claim that staff transferred to ACOT received both redundancy payments and permanent jobs.
(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of technical and administrative staff in his Department; and the cost of their salaries.
Comment on this
The number of staff currently employed in my Department is 5,042. The projected salary cost for 1983 is £44 million.
Comment on this
Since the withdrawal of many of the schemes and aids has there been any withdrawal of staff in the sections of the Department which administered those schemes?
Comment on this
The number serving the Department has been significantly reduced in the past two years. Under the July 1981 restriction the number of posts in the Department was reduced by 355. Under restrictions announced on 23 December 1981 230 posts which have fallen vacant have been left unfilled. In addition the Department have been required to operate a number of new schemes and these have been operated by the redeployment of staff from other work.
Comment on this
Would the Minister agree that, in most of the instances he has refered to, this is wastage rather than retirements?
Comment on this
Could the Minister tell us what element of redundancy money is involved in this projected £44 million?
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that in recent transfers of staff from the Department of Agriculture to ACOT, the staff were given redundancy money and also permanent jobs with ACOT.