I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 153 together.
In September 2018, the Government granted approval in principle for the phased recruitment of an additional 600 Revenue staff to meet the challenges posed by Brexit.
Revenue has appointed over 470 staff from open recruitment and interdepartmental competitions since the start of 2019. The majority of these have been assigned to customs roles or to backfill existing Revenue staff assigned to customs duties. As serving staff are taking up their new Brexit-related positions, Revenue is backfilling the vacancies created through panels of candidates established from its general recruitment activity.
Over 400 staff have completed customs training in preparation for Brexit. A further 80 staff are to complete customs training during April 2019.
The following table provides details of the additional staff that have been appointed to customs roles by location and office:
Location/Office
Location
|
Offices
|
Number
|
Munster
|
Cork, Limerick, Nenagh, Waterford
|
99
|
BMW
|
Athlone,Galway, Letterkenny, Dundalk, Sligo
|
29
|
Dublin
|
Airport, Port, City Centre
|
238
|
Wexford
|
Rosslare/Wexford
|
30
|
Rest of Leinster
|
Athy
|
5
|
Total
|
|
401
|
Revenue is an integrated tax and customs administration. Resources are deployed based on the evolving business needs to tackle any risks as they emerge.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, Revenue has panels and training plans in place to appoint additional staff required for Brexit during 2019.