Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff who are employed in Science Foundation Ireland at present, and in 2007 and 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15454/09]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the embargo on recruitment to the public sector applies to Science Foundation Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15455/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.

The Deputy should note there is not an embargo on recruitment to the public sector as this would imply that no filling of vacancies whatsoever could take place. The Government decision regarding the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the public service, which is effective from March 27 2009, provides the Minister for Finance with the authority to allow for the filling of vacancies in exceptional circumstances where warranted. Such approval from the Minister for Finance may, in due course, involve the redeployment of staff from other Departments or public bodies.

I can confirm that the moratorium will operate in respect of non-commercial state bodies and is therefore applicable to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). Staff numbers serving in SFI are outlined in the following table.