Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The CCPC is a very important independent agency. The Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, is working very closely with the organisation on inflation in grocery prices.

With regard to vacancies, there has been a challenge with recruitment. The budget is there. There has been a significant increase in budgetary capabilities for the CCPC but it is a very competitive landscape and the recruitment process is very difficult. We are doing all we can to fill those vacancies. This is one of the areas that was raised with me by the head of the CCPC when I met him a number of weeks ago. We will ensure that it has the resources needed to grow. Over the past decade, the CCPC has grown exponentially. As a result of European laws and responsibilities, Ireland now has an outsized role in the regulatory environment. It is very important that the organisation is resourced. The cost of business advisory forum will bring all of those key agencies, from the Revenue Commissioners to the CCPC and An Bord Pleanála, into the same room. It is critical that we see how we, as a country, can make things simpler for our businesses.

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