Vol. 527 No. 2
43 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Finance the steps that are being taken to fill the outstanding vacancies in the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, especially at higher tax officer and tax officer level where there are more than 50 vacancies, having regard to the implications of a number of key vacancies for the tax collection system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27998/00]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there are in the region of 92 vacancies in that office as at 13 November 2000. This level of vacancies is not unduly high in the context of a total complement of staff approaching 6,500.
The commissioners are currently in the process of filling these vacancies through the normal methods, i.e. internal Revenue competitions and promotions, from the current transfer system and from interdepartmental and open competitions.
Specifically, in relation to the two grades mentioned by the Deputy, there are 20 vacancies at higher tax officer level and 40 vacancies at tax officer level as at 27 November 2000.
With regard to the filling of the higher tax officer vacancies there are 16 higher tax officers who are to take up duty shortly from open competitions held by the Civil Service Commission and 94 tax officers have been requested from the commission to deal with current and other anticipated vacancies. An internal Revenue competition for appointment as tax officer is due to be held very shortly. It is expected that the staff circular will issue before Christmas with the selection process being concluded by the end of January 2001.
