I propose to take Questions Nos. 169, 174, 177 and 180 together.
My Department utilises secondments to fill roles that are temporary or time-bound in nature and roles that require specialist knowledge. My Department also facilitates Departmental staff availing of secondment opportunities in other Government Departments and in the European Commission as such arrangements provide staff with opportunities to broaden their skills and continue their professional and personal development. Secondment arrangements also provide opportunities for both the receiving and sending organisations to benefit from shared learning, good practice, new ideas and experience. Staff who have departed on secondment since 2019, have done so for an agreed period of time.
Currently, there are 19 individuals on secondment working in my Department all with relevant salary costs being covered by my Department. 17 individuals are on secondment from other Government Departments and two are on secondment from other Public Sector organisations.
Two members of staff of my Department are currently seconded out to other organisations, one at Assistant Principal level to the European Commission on the Seconded National Experts programme and one at Principal Officer level to another Government Department and who continues to be paid by my Department.