Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2018
120. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the preparations that have been undertaken to date by the Revenue Commissioners for Brexit; the details of same under each different Brexit scenario; the steps that will be taken by the Revenue Commissioners between December 2018 and the end of March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53605/18]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that its Brexit contingency plans are progressing well.
Revenue’s priority to date has been on upgrading relevant IT systems to have the most advanced systems possible to support and facilitate smooth and efficient trade flows. Performance testing is well advanced and I am assured by Revenue that based on the work completed to date they are confident that the various IT systems will support the expected additional work load arising from Brexit, ensuring customs processes can continue to operate effectively and efficiently upon the UK’s departure.
Allied to this upgrading of IT systems, I am advised by Revenue that it continues to highlight the range of authorisations and simplifications provided for within the Union Customs Code (UCC) to trade. Such authorisations and simplifications facilitate legitimate trade to operate in the most efficient way possible. I am aware that Revenue is meeting with trade and business representative groups and attending industry seminars to discuss the supply chain challenges that can arise for business from Brexit and how the authorisations or simplifications available under the UCC could potentially contribute to meeting those challenges.
Comprehensive information and assistance on customs processes is available on the Revenue website. In addition to this, Revenue is supporting businesses that trade with the UK in their preparations for Brexit and a number of trader engagement seminars were held in Dublin and Cork during December 2018. Additional seminars will take place in January and February 2019 in locations countrywide. Contingency planning to accelerate this engagement with and support for business in a 'no deal ' scenario is underway.
Revenue have determined that they will require an additional 600 staff for Brexit and are planning to recruit 270 of these in 2019. Revenue’s plans are well advanced to have a total of 200 additional staff, across a number of functions, trained and in place by 29 March 2019. In addition, Revenue is considering the various measures that may need to deployed should additional staff be required in a no-deal scenario. Such measures would include an acceleration of interdepartmental and open recruitment, and the redeployment of existing staff on an interim basis.
