Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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236. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of vacancies at assistant principal level or higher that have existed in each of the past five years or are currently vacant in his Department; the time taken to fill each vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24970/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, there has been significant restructuring in my Department during the years 2011-2016.

In 2011 the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform was established resulting in a significant proportion of my staff and functions transferring to that Department. In addition, following recommendations of the report of the Independent Review Panel on Strengthening the Capacity of the Department of Finance (The Wright Report) being implemented, additional resources were added to expand the skill set of the Department. 2014 and 2015 also saw the formation of a Shared Services model for the Civil Service whereby a number of my staff and functions were transferred out of my Department. All of these circumstances have led to a significant evolution in the structure of my Department.

This period therefore has seen my Department adapt, realign and enhance our resources in order to achieve our goals, facilitated by the development of an integrated business planning process, which ensures that resources are directed towards key priorities. The period has also seen continued investment in the roll-out of our ICT strategy as a key enabler to introduce innovation to and transform the way in which we work.

Furthermore, my Department is committed to the Civil Service Workforce Planning process, has a robust Recruitment and Selection policy which feeds into an ongoing Resource Review managed by HR and directed by the Executive Board. This process identifies on a case by case basis, both current and upcoming resource requirements in my Department in order to ensure my Department reaches its objectives and resources are fully maximised. The KPI for the time to fill an open vacancy at AP level agreed with PAS (Public Appointments Service) for open recruitment competitions is 12 weeks from the date the position is advertised, internally run competitions in the Department are generally less than this.

The following tables represent the appointments made at AP level and above in the years 2012 to date (the staff in DOF and DPER were managed as a pooled/shared resource until March 2012), as well as other movements at these grades.

AP vacancies filled by appointments:

PO vacancies filled by appointments:

Senior positions such as Secretaries General and Assistant Secretaries are filled by a process involving the Top Level Appointments Committee. The Top Level Appointments Committee is responsible for selecting the successful candidate at final interview stage from a shortlist of candidates put forward by the PAS for consideration following a competitive preliminary process. 

Assistant Secretary and Secretary General vacancies filled by appointments:

Other staff mobility activities(e.g. individuals seconded in, transferred in or redeployed in; reassignments within the Department; staff returning from secondment/career break/ special leave)

Pooled resources with DPER until March 2012