Ms Eileen Creedon:

It is just over €28,000 for a qualified solicitor. I can only offer contracts to keep within my ECF, employment control framework, budget. Despite the economic downturn and the environment in the private sector, it is still very difficult to recruit and retain staff at that level. That is a challenge for me. As I set out in my briefing document, the level of work through the office is complex, important and requires specialisms. I have a large cohort of dedicated and highly qualified staff. However, as my staff depletes from the top owing to retirements and other issues, recruitment at the bottom remains very challenging.