The information sought by the Deputy is not available as details of the number of cases where cover has not been provided are not recorded centrally.
Following the introduction of the moratorium on recruitment in the civil service, the Department of Finance has sanctioned the recruitment of a limited number of temporary clerical staff in my Department to provide cover for some of the absences of permanent staff on maternity leave, long-term sick leave and other statutory leave and also to provide cover for some staff availing of the shorter working year scheme.
I can advise that there are currently 148 temporary staff employed in my Department. These provide cover for in the region of three quarters of the total number of staff on maternity and other leave.