Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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460. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of current vacancies, by job title at the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29555/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition and consumer protection law in Ireland.

The remit of the CCPC has expanded in recent years, particularly in light of recent EU legislation aimed at strengthening consumer protections and ensuring fairness in digital and online markets. This includes the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Furthermore, the CCPC has been designated as the competent authority for the Data Governance Act (DGA) and as the market surveillance authority for certain products and services under the European Accessibility Act (EAA).

In addition, the Competition (Amendment) Act represents the most significant overhaul of competition law in Ireland. It enhances the CCPC’s ability to investigate and enforce against cartels, bid rigging in public procurement, anti-competitive practices, and anti-competitive mergers. The Consumer Rights Act 2022 also marks the most substantial reform of consumer protection law in over 40 years, modernising legislation relating to the sale of goods and supply of services, unfair contract terms, and consumer rights.

In recognition of these expanded responsibilities, the CCPC’s funding, and staffing sanction, has increased in recent years. For 2025, the CCPC has been allocated a budget of €28.4 million.

As of 9th June 2025, the CCPC has 33 vacancies across various roles. The CCPC has informed my Department that it is actively progressing recruitment, with 18 of these vacancies currently at various stages of the recruitment process.

Please see below for a detailed breakdown of the CCPC current vacancies, by grade, division and job title: