Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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258. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of members of the civil service and public service who have been convicted of crimes or are currently before the courts charged with criminal offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28894/24]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Civil and Public Service is comprised of numerous different employers across Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. Overall, there are over 400,000 people are employed in these organisations and there is no central repository of employee data for these people.

As Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform I am responsible for the Civil Service, with each Government Department holding responsibility over their own area in the Public Service. In relation to Civil Servants convicted of a criminal offence, this issue is referenced in paragraph 9 of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour, which states that Civil Servants who are convicted of a criminal offence or given the benefit of the Probation Act when charged with a criminal offence must report that fact to their Personnel Officer. In certain circumstances, this may have implications for their official position.

For new entrants to the Civil Service, those under consideration for a position are required to complete a health and character declaration and a Garda vetting form. In the event of potential conflicts of interest, candidates may not be considered for certain posts. Where details of a criminal record or current investigation/awaiting trial are returned in a Garda vetting disclosure, or a police clearance disclosure from another jurisdiction, or in the character declaration, a risk assessment is carried out in order to assess the suitability of the candidate.

For my own Department, no staff have been convicted of crimes or are currently before the courts charged with criminal offences.