Embargo coverage and exemptions
Ahern asked which bodies were outside the embargo, including whether extra Employment Equality Agency staff breached it. Boland said it applied across the Civil Service with specific exclusions, while local authorities and health boards faced cash limits; agency staffing could be approved for particular needs alongside compensating savings.
What areas are not included in the embargo. I know that the Labour Court are not affected by it.
Comment on this
The embargo applies to the entire Civil Service. However, there are specific exclusions in relation to the teaching profession in particular. The embagro is applied to local authorities and health boards through cash limits rather than the embargo implementation centrally controlled by my office.
Comment on this
What agencies are not covered by the embargo? We heard this morning that additional staff will be allowed in the Employment Equality Agency. Is that breaking the embargo?
Comment on this
In that case there was a recognition of the need for staff for a particular purpose and that was agreed between my Department and the Department involved. To some extent the Department involved will find compensating savings and in cases like that there is an examination of their needs and an identification of where staff might be obtained.