Brexit Preparations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018

Tuesday, 24 July 2018

Ceisteanna (422, 439, 440, 441, 442)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

422. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contingencies that have been put in place to deal with a hard Brexit; if there is scope to increase expenditure ceilings in Departments that will be most affected; if there is scope to increase staffing levels in Departments and agencies most affected; if his Department has consulted with other Departments on contingencies to deal with a hard Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34177/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

439. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of employing 1,000 extra staff to prepare for a hard Brexit; the number of these jobs to be filled in 2018; the impact of same on Ireland's structural balance and general balance for 2018; the number of these jobs to be filled in 2019; the impact of same on Ireland's structural and general balance for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34652/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

440. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the 1,000 extra staff to be employed to prepare for a hard Brexit by Department and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34653/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

441. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider outsourcing certain services to private companies if positions are not filled in time to prepare for a hard Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34654/18]

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

442. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform 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. [34669/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 439 to 442, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, Brexit contingency planning, which commenced well in advance of the UK referendum on EU membership in 2016, is taking place across the whole of Government.  Building on the extensive work already underway, the Government last week approved the further intensification of Brexit preparedness, with all Departments being asked to rollout detailed action plans to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to address the impact of Brexit.  These plans will be the basis for further decisions on staffing and resources.

Within my own Department, a dedicated Brexit/EU/North South Unit is coordinating work on Brexit across the Department and its agencies.  Staffing and resource requirements are kept under review.

Any additional resources that may be required across Government to deal with Brexit must of course be the subject of detailed assessment, including as part of the Estimates process.  The challenges posed by Brexit underscore the importance of ensuring that sustainable spending remains at the core of the budgetary process.