Róisín Shortall
Question:95 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the additional staff which will be recruited by Ireland Aid in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14770/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.
There were 18 additional specialist posts sanctioned for Ireland Aid in 2002: eight posts at development specialist level, eight at senior DS level and two at principal DS level. Ten of these new posts were filled through open competition late last year and the remaining posts were carried as vacancies into 2003. Additional vacancies were generated through the success of some serving DS in the competition for posts at more senior levels.
To date a further four vacancies have been filled and the last remaining senior DS post will be filled in July. A competition to establish a panel at development specialist level was advertised by the Civil Service Commission last week. Due to budgetary constraints, it may not be possible to fill all remaining DS vacancies in 2003. The intention is to fill as many of the existing vacancies as possible from the new panel.
As recommended in the Ireland Aid review, staff numbers will need to be kept under review as the budget for the aid programme expands.