Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013
276. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff members currently working at the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement; the number of staff holding professional qualifications in the areas of forensic accounting, company law, money laundering, financial fraud and other areas relevant to the body's work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33489/13]
View answerThe Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) has a total staff complement of 36.3 Whole Time Equivalents (WTEs). In addition, there is 1 temporary Legal Secretary on contract and 6.6 members of An Garda Síochána seconded to the Office. The ODCE’s staff complement comprises three distinct sub-categories, i.e.
- staff in professional grades (9 WTEs)
- staff in general civil service grades (28.3 WTEs including the temporary Legal Secretary on contract); and
- members of An Garda Síochána seconded to the Office from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) (6.6 WTEs).
Professional Grades
A total of 9 staff occupy professional grades, as follows:
- 2 Accountants
- 6 Lawyers; and
- 1 Compliance Manager.
All 6 of the Lawyers are solicitors and, in addition, hold a range of other legal qualifications. Both Accountants hold professional accountancy qualifications and, in addition, hold a range of other qualifications relevant to their roles as Accountants in the Office.
Whilst the Compliance Manager does not, unlike the Accountants, work as an accountant in the Office, he holds a professional accountancy qualification and, in addition, holds other relevant qualifications. Whilst the Director does not, unlike the Accountants, work as an accountant in the Office, he holds professional accountancy qualifications.
General Service Grades
Staff occupying general service grade posts in the ODCE are not required to hold professional qualifications as a prerequisite. However, 10 staff members in general service grades hold third level qualifications. These qualifications include Degrees in Business, Public Administration and various branches of the Arts as well as Diplomas in various aspects of law.
Members of An Garda Síochána seconded to the Office
Gardaí seconded to the ODCE from the GBFI are not required to hold professional qualifications as a prerequisite. However, in addition to having completed Detective Training, Fraud Investigation and Crime & Technology Courses respectively, members of the GBFI seconded to the ODCE also hold other qualifications including Policing Studies, Psychology of Criminal Behaviour, Barrister at Law and Accountancy.
