Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2012
94 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the establishment of the new economic and evaluation service; the number of economists and accounting and finance professionals that have been recruited to this new unit; their responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30513/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decided in March this year to set up the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). An Administrative Officer (Economist) competition was run by the Public Appointments Service. To date, 15 staff have been recruited from this competition to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. After a period of training and development, some of these recruits will be seconded to other Departments with identified economic analysis needs. A further 5 staff have taken up economist roles to address the needs of the Department of Finance for economic analysis. In addition, economist appointments to other Government Departments are also taking place. Staff working in IGEES will support Departments in evaluating policy and expenditure options; value for money reviews; cost benefit and regulatory impact analyses and competition issues. The staffing requirements within my Department will be kept under regular review and a decision taken regarding future recruitment as the need arises.
