Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of promotions that have been approved in the Revenue Commissioners for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19678/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners they fill posts in accordance with Government policy on the civil service in place from time to time. The filling of such posts can be made internally by promotion, or externally, either by open recruitment, interdepartmental competition or redeployment from other public service bodies. The number of staff promoted following internal selection procedures in Revenue by grade for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 are noted in Table 1.

Table 1: Internal Promotions

Staff appointed following external open competition, interdepartmental competition or redeployment for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 are noted in Table 2. Some of those appointed were already serving Revenue staff.

Table 2: External Competition /Redeployment

*Following Top Level Appointment Committee open competitions

These appointments were made to replace the loss of key skills and experience in Revenue at a time of significant staffing reductions. Since January 2008, Revenue staffing numbers have reduced by a net amount of 852 full time equivalent staff (-13%). Despite the appointments set out in Tables 1 and 2, since January 2008 the numbers serving have reduced at Principal level by 39 (-26%), Assistant Principal level by 110 (-22%), at HEO/AO level by 123 (-11%) and EO/SO level by 245 (-12%).

The Revenue Commissioners are subject to the Employment Control Framework staffing reductions, in line with Government policy 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. I have asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to consider reducing Revenue's target staff numbers over a longer period of time, whilst at the same time allowing Revenue some scope to replace critical skills and experience. This request is under consideration. In the meantime, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has sanctioned the replacement of some critical posts in Revenue.