Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of posts filled in his Department in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in his Department that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or that were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35674/07]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of posts filled in the Government agencies under his Department's remit in each of the past five years; the number and grade of posts in each of the past five years in these agencies that were open to existing public or civil servants only, or which were not subject to competition at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35689/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.

The number of posts filled in my Department in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 were 124, 66, 88, 125 and 218 respectively. These figures include those recruited to work in the Headquarters of the Department, including Irish Aid, the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries and the Passport offices in Dublin, Balbriggan and Cork.

All posts in my Department have been filled for the past five years either as a result of a competition advertised directly by the Department or on foot of competitions organised by the Public Appointments Service. The Public Appointments Service is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Civil Service.

It is not possible in the time available to provide the Deputy with a breakdown of the number of officers appointed from competitions confined to existing civil servants and those open to external candidates. This information will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible.

There are no Government agencies under the remit of my Department.