Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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607. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the staffing levels available to and through her Department to meet all anticipated requirements in the course of 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50559/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Since my appointment as Minister, my Department's staffing complement has grown from 181 to 241 people, with a further cohort currently being recruited which will bring the total staffing numbers to around 280 people before end 2018. The increase in staffing numbers reflects the continuing growth in the responsibilities of my Department, whose allocation will grow to €1.38 billion in 2018 following increases in the two Budgets since I took office.

As additional streams of work emerge in my Department, it is inevitable that, from time to time, temporary staffing shortfalls may occur. These are remedied at the earliest opportunity. I am satisfied that the workload required from my Department will be adequately resourced in 2018.