Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

55. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of regular grade civil servants his Department has hired in advance of a no-deal Brexit; the number of specialist grade civil servants hired in advance of same; the budget made available in advance of Brexit for hiring of staff in advance of the UK withdrawal from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3318/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As part of a whole of Government approach, my Department continues to engage in forward planning with the other Departments involved in addressing all issues relevant to the UK decision to exit from the European Union. 

I am satisfied that the necessary arrangements are in place in my Department to address the potential challenges arising from Brexit, with responsibility for Brexit-related matters being assigned at Assistant Secretary General level.  In this regard, I am also satisfied that the Department currently has the appropriate staffing complement in terms of both numbers and expertise to deal with issues that may arise in the context of Brexit. In this context it has not proved necessary to hire additional staff specifically to deal with Brexit at this point.

The staffing needs of my Department are kept under constant review in the context of the prudent management of its pay allocation. In this regard I can assure the Deputy that should a need be identified for additional staff in the context of Brexit, the necessary funding will be available.