Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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554. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline all of the secondment arrangements within his Department; the conditions related to such secondments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19874/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently 17 staff members seconded into my Department from the civil and public sector, and 18 staff members from my Department seconded out to the civil and public service. 

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which is under the remit of my Department currently have no staff members seconded to them from the Public Sector, and have 2 staff members seconded out to the Public Sector. 

The Secondment Policy, and associated Guidelines and FAQs, published by my Department in 2021 sets out the current arrangements for secondments between Civil Service organisations. This Secondment Policy also provides that the same principles may be applied to secondment arrangements between a parent department and a non-civil service body within its sector.

Secondments provide staff members with opportunities to broaden their skills and continue their professional and personal development while retaining the right to return to their substantive post at the end of the secondment. It also provides an opportunity for the receiving organisation to fill a temporary position with both the receiving and sending organisation benefitting from shared learning, good practice, new ideas and experience.

A copy of the Civil Service Secondment Policy Circular Letter and the living Guidance and FAQs are available at hr.per.gov.ie/en/corporate-pages/career/mobility/secondment/#article-section-policy-guidance-and-faqs-for-civil-service-organisations.