Civil Service staff embargo in Labour Department
The embargo, staff levies and additions reduced authorised posts in the Department of Labour by 83 since July 1981, despite increased workload. Quinn said the Department had coped through redeployment and administrative improvements, including a derogation for the National Manpower Service; Ahern challenged the policy and its effect on service delays.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will report on the effects of the embargo on staff in his Department.
Comment on this
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the net effect on staff numbers in my Department resulting from embargoes, staff levies and additions to staff. The net effect has been to reduce the number of authorised posts in my Department by 83 since 21 July 1981. This has inevitably caused some problems in my Department where the workload has increased significantly during the same period.
I am pleased to be able to say, however, that while we had problems we have managed to cope with them by such means as staff redeployment, improved administrative procedures, the introduction of new technology and, last but certainly not least, considerably greater effort from all of the staff involved.
Comment on this
I take it that the Minister would agree that the prime function of his Department is to try to help alleviate the present unemployment crisis. It seems a total contradiction that the embargo should have such a huge effect on his own Department with regard to over 80 posts. We have already had a question concerning the long delays, with people being told to come back six weeks later. In his role as involved in industrial relations, what action has the Minister taken to change the policy of the embargo in connection with his own Department and the public service in general? He is the Minister who has the function of trying to create employment and promote jobs in the State.
Comment on this
The Opposition spokesperson for the Department of Labour and for the Public Service should have a clear look at the remit and brief of the Department of Labour. What he has just said is not the case.
Comment on this
What anybody's position should be and what it is is not always the same. In this instance what the Deputy has said does not coincide with the facts. With regard to the specific question he asked regarding the embargo, as I said in reply to an earlier question, I have got a derogation from the embargo with regard to the National Manpower Service and we have attempted to get redeployment of existing staff within the Department of Labour generally in order to meet our proper and full obligations under all of the legislation we have to administer.