Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2018
77. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the additional budget for 2018 or other years, provided to his Department and all agencies and bodies within his remit to plan or prepare for Brexit; the number of additional staff who have been recruited to work on this policy area in each body, agency and in his Department; and the number of dedicated staff planning and working on Brexit matters in each. [6329/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's International, EU and Northern Ireland Division is headed by a Second Secretary General who also acts as the Irish Sherpa for EU business, including Brexit issues. The total staffing resources of the Division, which are kept under ongoing review, currently amount to a whole-time equivalent of 23.3 staff across the full range of policy areas.
This Division covers work on all international, EU and British-Irish and Northern Ireland affairs within the Department, including Brexit issues.
It includes supporting the work of Cabinet Committee C, which deals with EU affairs, including Brexit, and supports me in my role as a member of the European Council. It also supports me in respect of Government consideration of Brexit issues including the negotiation process, both on the issues that are of unique or particular concern to Ireland, and more generally.
The Division prepares and supports my engagement on a wide range of EU issues, as well as the debate on the future of Europe, and supports efforts to develop our strategic alliances in a post-Brexit scenario.
The Division also supports me in my international role and in all of my international engagements - ensuring that they are strategically aligned with, and effectively advance, the Government's priorities, with a particular focus on driving job creation, sustainable economic development, trade, tourism and investment and on protecting and promoting our strategic interests internationally.
The Division also provides advice and support to me in relation to Northern Ireland Affairs and British Irish relations, and Brexit issues in that context.
Staff in other divisions also contribute to the work on Brexit. For example, the Economic Division advises me on economic policy aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth, with a particular focus on jobs and competitiveness including possible economic impacts of Brexit.
In all of its work across international, EU and British and Northern Ireland issues, my Department works closely with other relevant Departments including, in particular, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which has lead responsibility for most policy matters in these areas, including Brexit.
My Department does not delegate budgets to individual divisions. Salaries and travel and subsistence costs related to Brexit are paid from my Department's administrative budget.
