My Department is in the process of finalising an Employment Control Framework for the Justice Sector under the terms of which it is envisaged that the moratorium on recruitment and promotion will be lifted in due course.
In the meantime, exemptions from the moratorium may be sought in exceptional circumstances. The Deputy should be aware that I recently secured sanction from the Minister for Finance for a significant derogation from the moratorium, as a result of which some 170 positions will be filled in An Garda Síochána in the very near future. The Commissioner is in the process of organising competitions from which successful candidates will be promoted to fill vacancies throughout the force and it is expected that this process will be completed as soon as is practicable.