Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of new staff, both within the public service and outside the public service, which have been recruited to his Department in each of the past five years; the number which have been indicated as necessary by the independent studies that have been commissioned; and the expected level and next date for the recruitment. [16842/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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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 staff recruited to fill existing vacancies as well as newly created posts at the Headquarters of the Department, including in 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, which is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Civil Service.

The question of the adequate staffing levels required to carry out the work of the Department, including Irish Aid, is kept under active review. The recent White Paper on Irish Aid recommended a major Management Review of Irish Aid be undertaken in conjunction with the Department of Finance. This is currently underway and is examining, among other issues, staffing levels necessary to guide the programme as funding expands towards reaching the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNP on official aid by 2012 and to ensure the huge increases in aid allocations can be delivered optimally in terms of accountability and quality. Work is now well advanced on this review and it is expected that it will lead to proposals being put before Government this year.

A Third Secretary competition is likely to be held by the Public Appointments Service in the near future. Third Secretary is the entry level grade for the Irish diplomatic service.