Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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218. To ask the Minister for Finance the current levels of staffing in the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman; the current number of vacant positions; and the total target workforce. [29870/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) is an independent, impartial, fair and free service that helps resolve complaints against financial service and pension providers from consumers and small businesses. It plays a vital role in the robust financial consumer protection framework in place in Ireland to support consumers of financial services.

The FSPO's Workforce Plan for 2024-2026 was approved by the Minister for Finance in December 2023. This resulted in an increased sanctioned headcount for the FSPO from 90.2 to 128 staff.

Arising from the approval of the Workforce Plan, there were 38 further roles to be recruited as part of the 2024 recruitment plan.

The FSPO has now recruited the majority of those roles. There are 13 vacancies left to recruit in the coming months.

The FSPO’s staff headcount at 4 July 2024 is 100.4.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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219. To ask the Minister for Finance the current levels of staffing in the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal; the current number of vacant positions; and the total target workforce. [29871/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Financial Service Appeals Tribunal (IFSAT) Tribunal has no employees.

Tribunal members are appointed by the President in accordance with the provisions of the Central Bank Act 1942 (as amended) and are assigned to hear and determine appeals on a case by case basis, as and when appeals are submitted to the Tribunal.

As per provided for in section 57D, the Tribunal consists of the following members, Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and no few than 1 and no more than 5 lay members.

The members of the Tribunal are appointed by the President on the nomination of the Government.

The following individuals are currently members of the Tribunal:

• The Hon. Mr. Justice John Mac Menamin, Chairperson
• Patricia O’Sullivan Lacy, Deputy Chairperson
• Paul Brennan
• Helen Collins
• Conor Power
• Eilis Brennan
• Úna Tighe

In accordance with section 57J, administrative duties of the Tribunal are carried out by the Registrar and, if required the Chairperson.

The need to engage additional administrative staff members is reviewed on an ongoing basis according to the number of appeals received or anticipated. At present, having regard to the current workload of the Tribunal, there are no staffing vacancies and it is not anticipated that there will be any increase in the total target workforce.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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220. To ask the Minister for Finance the current levels of staffing in Tax Appeals Commission; the current number of vacant positions; and the total target workforce. [29872/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the Deputy’s question, I am informed that the Tax Appeals Commission (“the Commission”) is comprised of 32 staff: one Chairperson, 5 Temporary Appeal Commissioners and 26 administrative staff to support the Appeal Commissioners in their work. There are presently 4 vacancies for Appeal Commissioners at the Tier 3 grade.

The Public Appointments Service launched two campaigns for Temporary Appeal Commissioners (at Tier 2 and Tier 3 level respectively) late last year. In April, three Tier 2 Appeal Commissioners were appointed and took up office in the Commission. The competitive process has recently concluded in respect of the campaign for Tier 3 Appeal Commissioners. Appointments are expected to take place shortly.