Donegal Municipal District queried on ‘inevitable’ staff turnover

The Donegal Municipal District members were told that staff movement within the organisation was “inevitable” after recent staff turnover was queried.

Speaking at February’s meeting, Cllr Michael McMahon questioned the Area Manager in Donegal Municipal District in Housing and Corporate Services, Pauric Sheerin, on staff turnover, after it was mentioned at the meeting that a respected post holder within the Housing department at Donegal County Council was moving on to a new job opportunity.

Cllr McMahon said: “I think it was time to see if it is looked at, because it is a cause for concern. 

“A worker has a right to leave to better themselves, but it is a situation that Donegal County Council finds itself in a lot. Over the best part of 18 months, we have lost a lot of people.”

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In reply, Sheerin stated: “The last number of people who have left that job have left on promotion. To go to Cllr McMahon’s point about movement in the council is acceptable practice.

“It is not the case that we change it often for the sake of it. 

“Now we have a scenario where the last three people left to do other things, but I don’t think it is down to job satisfaction.

“On the wider issues that Cllr McMahon referred to, I would say, because particularly in the HSE, there is a huge amount of movement and staff may decide there is a better opportunity, and that is their right. 

“The amount of movement is challenging for us, but it is inevitable in an organisation of this size.”