Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of posts unfilled in his Department due to the recruitment embargo; the sections they are in; the number in Dublin; the number in decentralised locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13239/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since January 2009, there has been a net reduction of 58 in staffing levels in my Department.

The moratorium on recruitment has meant that staff and functions within my Department are continually being reallocated and reorganised. In addition, the changing business needs of my Department, along with the nature of its core work, require the frequent reassignment of staff, both at home and to our Missions abroad.

Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003, the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which operates externally under the name of Irish Aid, decentralised to Limerick. I can advise the Deputy that, at present, there are 9.5 fewer staff working in the Irish Aid office in Limerick than at the beginning of 2009.

However, my Department has sanction for 50 temporary clerical officers for the Passport Office and these people should be recruited as soon as possible.