Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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109. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has commissioned economic or regulatory impact assessments of the risks to sectors under the purview of his Department following the decision of the UK to exit the EU and the various types of future relationships that might result; if he will provide a copy of such studies conducted; the persons or body commissioned to conduct this research; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6310/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Contingency planning for Brexit is taking place across Government and is focused on preparing for a no-deal scenario, a status quo transition period, and the future EU-UK relationship.  My Department is taking part in this contingency planning, which provides a baseline scenario for the policies and sectors impacted.  This can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations.  

The Government’s contingency planning is grounded in the extensive work already undertaken by individual Departments and agencies, as well as by stakeholder organisations, academics and others.  Much of this is already in the public domain.

My Department has specific responsibility for the EU-funded cross-border programmes, PEACE and INTERREG.  It has been working with the Special EU Programmes Body, the Managing Authority for these two North South programmes, on the implications of Brexit for the programmes.  Research undertaken or commissioned by the SEUPB and the issue of publishing such research is a matter for discussion with the Northern Ireland Department of Finance, the joint Sponsor Department for the Body. 

In parallel, my Department is continuing its own assessment of the implications of Brexit, including in the area of North South cooperation.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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110. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the additional budget for 2018 or other years, provided to his Department and all agencies and bodies within his remit to plan or prepare for Brexit; the number of additional staff that have been recruited to work on this policy area in each body, agency and his Department; the number of dedicated staff planning and working on Brexit matters in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6327/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s Brexit / EU / North South Unit is responsible for coordinating Brexit issues across the Department.  The Unit comprises six staff, along with an attaché based in the Permanent Representation in Brussels.  It oversees Brexit work across the Department and works closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Finance, as well as other Government Departments.  It is represented on the Interdepartmental Group on the EU and Brexit, and supports me in my work on Brexit. 

Brexit issues are also addressed by staff in relevant areas across the Department.  The cost of the Brexit/EU/North South Unit is met from within the Department’s existing budget and is kept under review. 

My Department and the relevant bodies under its aegis engage as necessary in relation to Brexit matters.