Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of new positions made available in the Central Bank specifically to deal with Brexit; the types of new roles created; the number of vacancies left to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33773/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have been previously informed by the Central Bank that staff from across all three pillars of the Bank are working on various aspects of "Brexit". 

The Governor of the Central Bank has stated that, if necessary, staff will be deployed to deal with increases in the authorisation pipeline and will reprioritise workload as appropriate. Should there be a marked increase in the financial sector regulated in Ireland, supervisory and enforcement resources will be increased in a commensurate and appropriate manner.

The Central Bank Commission has approved a complement for 2017 of circa 1,800 staff, which will be a target net increase of 200 staff on the total at end 2016. This 2017 expansion includes dedicated resources of an additional 28 staff to address specific Brexit-related new business needs within existing divisions. The Central Bank also plans to assess on a regular basis the need for contingency-based extra Brexit-related hiring in response to additional business volumes.  In this context the Governor has also previously indicated that where further resources are necessary due to an expanded universe of regulated and supervised firms, the Central Bank will increase staff numbers as necessary. 

If the Central Bank provide any further update to this position I will share that with the Deputy.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of employees in his Department specifically dedicated to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33774/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the Assistant Secretary who heads the EU and International Division of my Department has been designated as the lead official in the Department for Brexit matters. A dedicated Brexit Unit within the EU and International Division was established in July 2016 to oversee and coordinate Brexit work across the entire Department and to act as a key liaison point, in particular with the Departments of the Taoiseach and of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are currently four staff in the dedicated unit which is led at Principal Officer level.  Also, an additional staff member has been assigned to the Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels specifically to deal with Brexit.

We have appointed lead Brexit coordinators at Principal Officer level across all divisions of the Department. The challenges which we face as a result of Brexit are mainstreamed across all divisions of my Department and this is reflected in business planning.