Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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209. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate staff remain available to the various sections of her Department with a view to ensuring the smooth and effective operation of all the services for which she is responsible; if particular issues have arisen or are likely to arise in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9244/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am satisfied that Department is adequately resourced to carry out its functions and services. Since my appointment as Minister, the staffing complement has grown from 181 to 248 people, with a further cohort currently being recruited which will bring the total staffing numbers to some 276 people before end 2018. The increase in staffing numbers reflects the continuing growth in the responsibilities of my Department, whose allocation has grown 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 is adequately resourced and will continue to be. My Department's objectives continue to be delivered as planned and as scheduled and I anticipate that it will continue to do so.