Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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351. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of secondments from his Department to external private firms from 2010 to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1837/15]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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352. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of secondments based in his Department from external private firms from 2010 to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1851/15]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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353. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has a policy regarding secondments from and within his Department to external firms; when the policy was initiated and last updated; the details of the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1865/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 to 353, inclusive, together.

No staff from my Department have been seconded to external private firms nor were any staff seconded from such firms into my Department during the period in question.

A Superintending Veterinary Inspector from my Department has been seconded to Animal Health Ireland, which is a limited liability company part funded by my Department. Similarly, two Executive Officers are seconded to Horse Sport Ireland which is also a limited liability company part funded by my Department.

A small number of other staff from my Department have been seconded to other public sector bodies or semi state agencies. The nature of any secondment is considered on its own merits and bearing in mind the purpose of the secondment. In all cases, seconded staff retain their Civil Service status and pay and conditions.