Vol. 526 No. 4
86 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will receive the consultants report on staffing requirements in the Competition Authority; the plans there are to address staff shortages in the authority in the interim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26571/00]
88 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of staff currently employed by the Competition Authority; when the authority will have a full complement of staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26734/00]
123 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current vacancies in the Competition Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26735/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 88 and 123 together.
I received the consultants report on staffing requirements in the Competition Authority on 14 November 2000.
Following an interim recommendation of the consultant's report, I already increased the staff complement by five earlier this year.
The current authorised staffing level of the Competition Authority is 29 comprising: chair and four members, including the director of competition enforcement; assistant principal, secretary to the authority; two HEOs; two EOs; seven COs, seven economists and five legal advisers.
This includes two senior legal advisers and three senior economists which were sanctioned by the authority this year.
There are currently vacancies for two economists, three legal advisers and three administrative staff in the authority. Interviews for the recruitment of the vacant positions of economist and legal adviser have been held and these posts will be filled shortly. The three administrative staff will be filled in the normal way by transfer within the Department.
The consultant's report, to which I have referred, is currently under consideration and decisions will be taken on it as soon as possible.
