Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1177. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff by grade in the scope section of her Department; the details of these figures on a yearly basis in each of the years 2008 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45668/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department, like all Government departments and agencies is required to operate within a staff ceiling figure and a commensurate administrative staffing budget, which for this Department has involved reductions in staff.

The staffing needs for all areas within the Department are continuously reviewed, taking account of workloads, management priorities and the ongoing need to respond to new increasing demands in a wide range of services. This is to ensure that the best use is made of all available resources with a view to providing an efficient service to those who rely on the schemes operated by the Department.

The below table provides a breakdown by grade of the permanent staff (FTE) working in the Scope Section from 2008 to the end of September 2017.

*Staff Officer grade amalgamated with Executive Officer grade in 2017.

(The Principal and Assistant Principal of the Scope Section also have responsibility for other business areas in the Department)