Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number, grade and locations of staff in his Department and further changes to any of these details which he envisages for the next six months. [20319/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The number of Whole Time Equivalents, grades and location of staff employed in my Department is outlined in the following table.

** Located in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform providing a service to the Department of Finance.

In addition, certain services are provided on a shared basis by the Department of Finance e.g Corporate Services, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Press Office. I am not in a position to comment on specific changes expected in the next six months. However, staffing issues will be kept under review in the context of the Department's business needs, while having due regard to budgetary provision, moratorium on public service numbers and the limit of the Departments Employment Control Framework.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the procedure for filling the vacant position of assistant Secretary General at his Department. [20316/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) holds competitions for, and advises Ministers and the Government, on appointments to civil service posts at Secretary General, Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary and equivalent levels. Since early 2007, the policy has been that open competitions are held for Assistant Secretary, Deputy Secretary and equivalent posts. More recently this policy has been extended to Secretary General posts, with the exception of a limited number of Secretary General posts which are filled by the Government without a TLAC competition. Where open competitions are held, the normal practice is that the Public Appointments Service holds a preliminary competition and selects a shortlist of candidates for interview by the TLAC. I am satisfied that the Top Level Appointments Committee and the preliminary interview boards under the Public Appointments Service carry out their functions in a fair and objective manner.