I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have not been in a position to assign additional staff to audit, investigation and compliance tasks since 2011. In accordance with Government policy on public sector numbers the Revenue Commissioners are subject to the Employment Control Framework staffing reductions imposed since 2009. Revenue’s overall staffing levels have reduced from a total of 6,581 full time equivalents (FTE) at the end of 2008, to 5,962 (FTE) at the end of 2011, to its current level of 5,767 (FTE). Notwithstanding this reduction of 814 (FTE), the level of staff resources assigned to audit, investigation and compliance activities overall have been maintained by Revenue at around 2,000. I am advised by Revenue that they have accorded a very high priority to compliance activity and are committed to ensuring that resourcing of this work will continue to be prioritised to the greatest extent possible.