Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator has highlighted a very important point, namely, that it is important to have economists not just in the Department of Finance but also in other high spending Departments. The Departments of Social Protection, Education and Skills and Health are responsible for 82% of all Government expenditure. As the Senator points out, it is crucial that these Departments have in their employ suitably qualified and competent staff. Many people who previously worked in the Department of Finance have gone on to enjoy very illustrious careers in other Departments. Much of their training, both in the area of economics and in more general matters relating to the Department, has been of assistance in the formulation of policy in the Departments to which they have transferred. I was obviously in opposition at the time, but there is anecdotal evidence that during the financial crisis it was not just the Department of Finance which tried to respond to the enormous difficulties which had arisen. Staff in other Departments who had previously worked in the Department of Finance and trained economists assisted in the general effort which was required at that stage. However, I take the Senator's point on the need to ensure it is not only the Department of Finance which requires suitably qualified staff. While progress has been made, there are gaps which must be highlighted.