Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No. At the end of last year, it was 4,007. The current number is up ten on that, although it is similar.

Our payroll budget is just over €250 million per year. This finances our salary and allowance costs for the full year of 2024.

While my Department has not issued an embargo on staffing, as is borne out by the numbers employed and the figures on which I have given the Deputy, we are obliged to manage our resourcing within budgetary constraints. The Department remains committed to continuing to do this throughout 2024. Importantly, my Department recognises the requirement to strategically apply its staffing resources while considering departmental and broader governmental priorities. We continually navigate the reality of balancing our workforce resources with maintaining financial sustainability and delivering operational efficiencies.

Our workforce is at an historic high, but we must manage it within our budget. We will continue doing that over the course of the year.

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