P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of new posts that the Industrial Development Agency requested permission for from the Minister of Finance since the introduction of the recruitment embargo; when these requests were made; when they were answered; the number of new posts that have been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36503/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Since the introduction at the end of 2008 of the moratorium on the filling of public service vacancies, its impact on the staffing of my Department and all of its offices and agencies has been closely monitored in order to minimise its impact on the delivery of public services. As for other offices and agencies, this has included frequent discussion between my Department and IDA and between myself and the IDA Chairman Mr Liam O'Mahony. My Department has maintained similar contacts with the Department of Finance, as I have with my colleague the Minister for Finance.

The staffing level for the period 2010 to 2012 for IDA has now been determined in the context of the Employment Control Framework currently being finalised with the Department of Finance. In that process, approval has been given to the agency to fill 10 vacant posts which it had requested. The Agency has confirmed to me that the levels of staff agreed will enable it to achieve the industrial employment and other targets set out for the 5 year period 2010 to 2014.