Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed that all decisions to recruit, including replacement posts, are carefully considered by my Department as part of the human resources planning process. Retirement vacancies and/or replacements are taken into account when considering the overall resourcing needs.

The information sought by the Deputy is contained in the following table which details the number of staff who joined the Department, the number of staff who have left the employ of the Department during the years in question and the percentage of staff turnover for each year. The table also indicates the salary cost of new hires on commencement of employment and the salary costs of staff leaving the Department at the time of their departure for the years in question. Again the Deputy should note that these movements are not directly related. The Department does not hold information on the cost of pensions to retired staff members which is a matter for the Pay Master General.

The above figures include staff recruited as Temporary Clerical Officers during the years in question. The majority of these new recruits are employed on a fixed term contract basis to cover temporary vacancies and short term staffing needs arising across the Department at various times. It should be also be noted that some functions and staff were transferred from the Department during the period.