Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Taoiseach if there is a North South Co-operation unit in his Department; the number of staff working in the North South Co-operation unit; the number of staff that have worked in the North South Co-operation unit in each year since 2007. [47237/12]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide details of the type and frequency of North South engagement his Department undertakes; the current priorities in this area; the number of whole time equivalent staff assigned to these matters; the grades involved and the amount of time each grade spends on North South Activities as a proportion of their WTE employment; the co-ordination arrangements that have been put in place; if there are any current vacancies in North South Co-operation unites; the duration of this vacancy and the steps being taken to fill the vacancy. [48552/12]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 156 together.

The Department of the Taoiseach does not have a North South Cooperation Unit as such. The Northern Ireland Section which has been in existence in the Department for many years continues to support me on all matters relevant to Northern Ireland and plays an important role in co-ordinating matters relating to North South Co-operation across government departments.

The work of the Section is overseen by an Assistant Secretary and is currently staffed by one Principal Officer; one Assistant Principal (whole time equivalent); one Administrative Officer; one Higher Exective Officer and one Clerical Officer. There are no current vacancies in this Section.

Details of the staff levels from the year 2007 -2011 are included in the table below