§ Mr. George Foulkesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current overall shortage of veterinary officers in the State veterinary service and, in particular, the veterinary field service; what percentage of the complement of the State veterinary service at 1 January this overall shortage represents; and when was the last occasion when the State veterinary service was up to complement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerOn 1 June 1979 there were 78 vacancies at veterinary officer level and above in the State veterinary service, of which 63 were in the field service. These figures represent 11.7 per cent. and 9.5 per cent. respectively of the professional complement, and 4.6 per cent. and 3.7 per cent. respectively of the total complement of the State veterinary service, which includes scientific and support staff. Records going back to 1959 show that the Service has not been up to complement in the last 20 years.