Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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248. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of additional customs officers that will be required to deal with the issues arising from the UK's imminent departure from the EU; the number that have been recruited to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25633/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that they are actively engaged in examining the range of scenarios that may apply post-Brexit. The nature of the future trading relationship, which is subject to negotiation between the EU and the UK, will determine the nature of the controls to be applied and the number of additional customs officers that will be needed. For this reason Revenue’s focus to date has centred on upgrading their IT systems in order to have the most advanced systems possible and to maximise the simplifications provided for within the Union Customs Code.

This preparatory work is being undertaken by approximately 25 full time equivalents of staff, of whom, 12 are dedicated to Brexit work full time, supported by additional staff throughout the organisation as required.