Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
981. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the posts within his Department which necessitate a person being a qualified veterinarian; the WTE of each, by category; the number of which currently vacant and the length of any such vacancy, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12693/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. Workforce planning processes are utilised to identify requirements across all grade streams and locations, aiming to ensure a long-term, proactive and strategic plan by which current and future staffing needs are addressed.
Staff with veterinary qualifications undertake a variety of roles within my Department including food safety, animal health and welfare, certification of exports and provision of laboratory services.
Overall staffing levels and required skills are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure business needs are met within budgetary and organisational priorities.
Requirements are continually addressed to minimise the duration for which a post remains vacant. While it is recognised that the timeline associated with the filling of vacancies can vary, it is important to highlight that vacancies which take longer to fill are reflective of multiple factors, including today’s highly competitive job market. I am content that work to fill all vacancies is a permanent feature of my Department’s work and assignments are ongoing across all grade streams to ensure the prompt and efficient delivery of services.
The table below lists the grades within my Department which require veterinary qualifications along with the number of officers serving within each of these grades and the number of vacancies within each of these grades. The information reflects the position as at 9th February 2026. Further assignments are underway with commencement dates pending in the coming weeks which will impact the information being provided.
|
Posts requiring Veterinary Qualifications |
Number of officers serving at 9/02/2026 |
Number of vacancies at 9/02/2026 |
|
Chief Veterinary Officer |
1 |
|
|
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer |
2 |
|
|
Research Officer |
24 |
2 |
|
Senior Research Officer |
15 |
2 |
|
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
11 |
|
|
Superintending Senior Research Officer |
6 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
52 |
3 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
308 |
10
|
