Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners expected to leave the organisation at the end of this month under the early retirement scheme; if he will give an overview of the location and functional areas within the Revenue Commissioners that will be affected and if he is satisfied that the Revenue Commissioners will be able to continue to perform its duties to the required standard after the retirements take effect. [9913/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it is expected that around 226 Full Time Equivalent staff will have retired between January and the end of February 2012. The estimated number of individuals (headcount) to retire is 251. These numbers are subject to change as those who have indicated they intend to retire may change their mind before the end of February deadline. Others may choose to retire who have not already applied.

The Revenue staff retiring are from across all locations and functional areas.

The following Table 1 gives an indication of the locations from which Revenue staff are retiring.

Table 1: Revenue retirements by location (Headcount)

The following Table 2 gives and indication of the functional areas of the retiring staff

Table 2: Revenue retirements by functional areas

The loss of so many skilled and experienced staff will undoubtedly impact on the service provided by Revenue. The Revenue Commissioners are subject to the Employment Control Framework staffing reductions in line with Government targets to reduce public service numbers. However, I recognise the need to replace the loss of key skills and experience in Revenue while meeting the existing Employment Control Framework allocations. An effective tax collection system is an essential element of our fiscal consolidation requirements and is critical to the successful achievement of the Government's objectives in the context of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland. In that context, I have asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to consider reducing Revenue's target staff numbers over a longer time period, whilst at the same time allowing Revenue to replace critical skills and experience.