A VERY serious reduction in staff numbers at Clare County Council has already taken place over the last two years, according to Mayor Christy Curtin.
He was commenting on the Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group, which found that Clare County Council had 7.4 staff per thousand of population, at the end of 2009.
While this is actually below the national average of 7.6, the report claimed that Clare may have “sufficient scale to operate at lower staffing levels”.
Councillor Curtin said numbers employed have already dropped and that further significant reductions could have a serious impact.
“Staff levels have been reducing since around 2008. They are down by around 120, through people leaving, retirements and non-renewal of temporary contracts. But there are certain levels below which you can’t go or otherwise you’ll affect services. Loss of staff can impact adversely on the delivery of services to the wider public.”
Councillor Curtin said that Clare County Council does understand the need for efficiency. “It’s important that we’re conscious of efficiencies; we have to make efficiencies if we’re going to make savings. Work practices have to be adapted to current situations.”
He said that the council had reduced the number of director of services working last year, following the appointment of Tom Coughlan as town manager.
“We were very pragmatic in 2009. We had five directors of services and we reduced that to four. We were ahead of ourselves in that respect. Wherever there is duplication, we have to look at amalgamating and reassigning duties.”
Another suggestion in the report is that tolls be placed on national roads and Councillor Curtin said he had serious concerns about that.
“Under no circumstances would I agree with tolling national secondary roads. Clare motorists already contribute handsomely to the exchequer and they are entitled to a return on that. What’s being suggested is taxation on the double,” the Mayor said.