Written answers

Wednesday, 5 October 2011

Department of Finance

Departmental Staff

9:00 pm

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Finance if staff of Customs and Excise are regarded as front line workers; if he is satisfied that there are sufficient staff employed in this area in view of the evidence of smuggling products such as tobacco, fuel, and so on; his plans to increase staff numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27808/11]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are a fully integrated tax and customs administration. Revenue currently has over 2,000 staff engaged on activities that are dedicated to target and confront non-compliance. These front-line activities include audit, assurance checks, anti-smuggling, investigations, prosecutions and anti-avoidance. Revenue, in tackling the illicit trade in tobacco products and mineral oil, deploy officers at all key ports and airports in the state and at strategic locations along the land frontier with Northern Ireland. Revenue enforcement officers also target this illicit trade at the post-importation level by carrying out intelligence-based operations and random checks at retail outlets, markets and private and commercial premises. Staff deployed at these locations are often augmented by additional staff from other areas when specific operations are organised. The Revenue Commissioners are subject to the Employment Control Framework staffing reductions. However, the need to replace the loss of key skills and experience in Revenue while meeting the existing Employment Control Framework allocations is recognised. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has recently sanctioned the recruitment by Revenue of 40 Information and Communications Technology specialists. In the context of expected retirements by February 2012, the Revenue Commissioners will continue to review their staffing requirements. The Revenue Commissioners will consider making a business case to replace the loss of key skills, if required.

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