Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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311. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of requests on hand from his Department and from State agencies under the aegis of his Department for approval to increase staff levels; the number of public and civil servants in total involved in these requests; the method by which decisions are made on the requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26474/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that I currently have no requests to increase staff levels in my Department. During the summer a Unit was put in place in the EU & International Division of my Department to support my role of President of the Euro Group of Finance Ministers. There are currently 7 staff members assigned to this Unit. All requests to increase staff levels in my Department are agreed with the Secretary General and the Executive Board.

There are 17 Bodies under the aegis of my Department.  While my Department does not currently have any requests from the Bodies for increases to staff levels, 2 have submitted requests to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of their annual estimates process. 

The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General has requested additional funding corresponding to an increase of 5 staff (civil servants) as part of its annual estimate’s process to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The Office of the Revenue Commissioners has submitted a business case seeking an increase of 310 staff (civil servants) to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with its annual estimates process. This request has been made as part of preparatory work being carried out by Revenue to ensure that they will have the necessary customs framework in place to facilitate trade compliance with EU customs obligations and to underpin the protection of national and EU borders.