Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Public Accounts Committee

2020 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 32 - Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Chapter 6 - Covid-19 Restart Grant Schemes

9:30 am

Dr. Orlaigh Quinn:

Yes, we have general discussions on that. It is not just in the ODCE; it is across a range of areas. We are currently being more successful because we tend to be more attractive in times when the economy is at a lower ebb, and then vice versa. We have considered it and made special arrangements. Staff in particular grades might start further up the scale. Obviously, we work closely with our colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform when we look to particular sanctions for particular jobs. At this point, we have had a significant amount of work done to increase, for example, the number of members of the Garda Síochána within the organisation in particular. As the Vice Chairman is probably aware, its representation is due to increase from nine to 16. These discussions are ongoing and we are very keen that, as a new statutory agency commencing its work, it must have the resources it needs to take on this new role.