As part of a whole of Government approach, my Department continues to engage in forward planning with the other Departments involved in addressing all issues relevant to the UK decision to exit from the European Union.
I am satisfied that the necessary arrangements are in place in my Department to address the potential challenges arising from Brexit, with responsibility for Brexit-related matters being assigned at Assistant Secretary General level. In this regard, I am also satisfied that the Department currently has the appropriate staffing complement in terms of both numbers and expertise to deal with issues that may arise in the context of Brexit. In this context it has not proved necessary to hire additional staff specifically to deal with Brexit at this point.
The staffing needs of my Department are kept under constant review in the context of the prudent management of its pay allocation. In this regard I can assure the Deputy that should a need be identified for additional staff in the context of Brexit, the necessary funding will be available.