HL Deb 08 February 2005 vol 669 cc95-6WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 January (WA 29) concerning staff bullying at Waterways Ireland, what grades are the individuals concerned; and whether they are still employed by Waterways Ireland. [HL827]

Baroness Amos

The single complainant was seconded to Waterways Ireland at the time and he has since returned to his parent department.

The 20 staff who have collectively alleged that bullying and harassment exists in Waterways Ireland are all still employed by Waterways Ireland. The individuals concerned are employed in a number of different grades within the organisation.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 January (WA 28) concerning applications for posts in Waterways Ireland, how many people were interviewed for each post; and under what country's employment legislation the recruitment procedure was carried out. [HL828]

Baroness Amos

The number of applicants interviewed for each post were as follows:

Number
CEO 6
Director of Operations: 10
Director of Finance/Personnel: 7
Director of Technical Services: 6
Director of Corporate Services: 13

The recruitment procedure was carried out under UK employment legislation.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether those civil servants who had been seconded to Waterways Ireland before March 2002 have had their secondments terminated by 31 March 2002 as proposed in the Inland Waterways sector meeting minutes of 23 November 2001. [HL913]

Baroness Amos

Due to the large number of applications received for permanent posts within Waterways Ireland, it was necessary to retain a number of seconded staff beyond the proposed termination date to allow the business of Waterways Ireland to continue while the recruitment process took place. In total, 13 civil servants remained on secondment for periods within 2002, one continued into 2003 and one into 2004.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many applications were received by Waterways Ireland as a result of advertising 47 administrative posts at the end of November 2001. [HL1031]

Baroness Amos

Some 1,452 applications were received by Waterways Ireland as a result of advertising 47 administrative posts at the end of November 2001.