Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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3383. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process by which the SFPA will appoint a sea fisheries protection officer in County Donegal; if consideration has been given to candidates on the existing panel for appointment of this position; if this panel is still in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39677/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Section 50 (1) of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 provides that the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) may, with my consent and with the consent of the Minister for Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (formerly known as Department of Finance), appoint persons to be members of its staff as it considers necessary to assist it in the performance of its functions.

My Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) implement delegated sanction arrangements for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority’s pay and staffing. In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Delegated Sanction framework, the SFPA submits a report detailing its recruitment plans which is monitored by my Department to ensure allocated pay ceilings are adhered to. Additionally, the SFPA strictly complies with all relevant Human Resource circulars issued by DPER.

The information requested with respect to the recruitment process and the utilisation of panels is an operational matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the SFPA directly and have requested that a response be issued within 10 days.