Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of Enterprise Ireland overseas positions by geographic breakdown; the number of same for March 2008 and March 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24372/10]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the reason Enterprise Ireland requested the roll over of 53 overseas positions in June 2009; the impact that the sanctioning of only four of these positions has had on services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24373/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.

Enterprise Ireland has a network of 30 international offices. The staffing complement of these overseas offices by geographic breakdown for March 2008, 2009 and 2010 is set out in the tabular statement below.

The Public Sector Recruitment Moratorium provides that until the end of 2010, no public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, nor payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. Where vacancies arise Departments/agencies must reallocate staff or re-organise work accordingly. Any exceptions to this moratorium will require the prior sanction of the Minister for Finance.

As a result of the moratorium a number of vacant posts have remained unfilled within Enterprise Ireland (EI). These vacancies are as a result of resignations and the expiration of individual contracts.

Enterprise Ireland has a number of staff on fixed term contracts in overseas offices and some of these contracts are due to expire over the next two years. The figure of 53 refers to the number of fixed term contracts which will expire over the period to end 2012. To date, sanction has been received to fill six overseas posts and these staff have been recruited to assist EI client companies operating in key overseas markets such as the UK, Europe and in Asia. The approval to fill these posts has helped to ensure the continuity of services to client companies exporting to these key markets. Enterprise Ireland's overseas offices play an important role in promoting Ireland and assisting their existing client companies to compete and grow their market share in overseas markets.

The situation regarding contracts expiring in 2010, 2011 and 2012 is being monitored and negotiations are ongoing between my Department and the Department of Finance in relation to staffing levels in the context of agreeing an Employment Control Framework for my Department and its agencies to cover the period up to the end 2012.