Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Finance his reasoning in sanctioning in June 2009 of four and refusing 49 of 53 requested posts by Enterprise Ireland for overseas contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24371/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The moratorium is the mechanism in place to control numbers in the public sector to help achieve cost savings. In assessing these requests for exemptions from the application of the moratorium for certain Enterprise Ireland (EI) posts I have regard to the case made in the context of the current budgetary situation and in particular in the context of the recommendations of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Control, which recommended reducing staffing level and rationing the overseas office network of EI, IDA and Bord Bia.

I have sanctioned the filling of 24 posts in EI as an exceptional measure in recognition of the importance of their work in driving Irish export performance.