Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
320. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the number of extra employees to be hired in his Department between now and March 2019 to prepare for a hard Brexit; the specific roles these new employees will take up; the estimated cost of hiring these new employees; the impacts on his Department's expenditure ceilings for 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34664/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the Assistant Secretary who heads the EU and International Division of my Department is designated as the lead official in the Department for Brexit matters. A dedicated Brexit Unit within the EU and International Division was established in July 2016 to oversee and coordinate Brexit work across the entire Department and to act as a key liaison point, in particular with the Departments of the Taoiseach and of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are currently four staff in the dedicated unit which is led at Principal Officer level. Also, an additional staff member has been assigned to the Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels specifically to deal with Brexit.
We have appointed lead Brexit coordinators at Principal Officer level across all divisions of the Department. The challenges which we face as a result of Brexit are mainstreamed across all divisions of my Department and this is reflected in business planning.
Brexit resourcing has been managed within the existing paybill allocation. My Department will continue to monitor the resources needed to respond to specific policy challenges on an ongoing basis.
