‘Secondment’ did not follow guidelines
CHIEF Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan’s controversial Trinity College appointment was not in compliance with at least two civil service guidelines for secondments, according to the rules of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
These state that secondments should not be of indefinite duration and that costs should be borne by the organisation securing the individual who has been seconded.
Government departments that responded to queries from the Irish Mail on Sunday indicate secondments are comparatively rare. Foreign Affairs confirmed it had none while Higher Education said: ‘In line with the arrangements for the secondment of staff between public bodies there is currently one staff member seconded from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to University College Cork for two days per week.
‘The salary and associated salary costs in respect of this fixed term and part-time secondment are managed on a recoupment basis from UCC back to’ the department.
Arts and Culture has two staff on secondment, while
Education confirmed it ‘only has two employees on secondment to organisations outside the public sector and does not bear the cost of those salaries’.
The Equality department said ‘nine staff members are on secondment to other areas of the civil service’.
Transport has no staff on secondment to academia or third level institutions. Social Protection has 26 staff members on secondment. Housing said that of its 1,400s staff, six are on secondment. And Public Expenditure confirmed it has ‘18 officials seconded into the department and 21 officials seconded out to other public sector organisations’.
The guidelines note: ‘All secondments will be temporary in nature, and in general will be for a period of six months up to a maximum of five years.’
In response to queries about Dr Holohan’s Trinity College secondment, the Department of Health said: ‘Dr Holohan has agreed to relinquish his role as Chief Medical Officer.
‘Arrangements are being made between the Department and Trinity College regarding the funding of the post.’