Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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40. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is a public recruitment process for the position of social welfare appeals officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16880/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department of Social Protection, like all Government departments and agencies, is required to operate with an Employment Control Framework (ECF) figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which is determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

In this context, the Department is obliged to fill all critical posts in the first instance, by either redeployment, transfer or lateral mobility. The vacancies which arise in the Appeals Office have been filled in this manner and no public recruitment process has been carried out to date.