Departmental Staff.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2008

Tuesday, 4 November 2008

Questions (281)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

368 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of civil servants working within the child benefit section; the number engaged in the processing of applications for Irish born children; the number engaged in the processing of applications of children born within the European Union; the average number of staff in the child benefit section in each of the years 2000 to 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37999/08]

Written answers

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Deputy Mary Hanafin)

At the 1st November 2008, there were 106 permanent posts and 24 temporary posts in the Child Payments area in the Department, comprising Child Benefit and Early Childcare Supplement. 23 permanent posts and 16 temporary posts are deployed on claims in respect of non-resident children, under EU regulations. 83 permanent posts and 8 temporary posts are deployed on claims for children resident in Ireland.

The following table details staff numbers in the Child Payments area from the year 2000 to 2007.

Year	Number of Posts
2000	74.5
2001	75.0
2002	87.5
2003	94.8
2004	88.5
2005	66.2
2006	69.2
2007	94.4