Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
905. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the full organisational structure of the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency; the number of staff by grade; and if the agency has enough staff and executives to fulfil its role. [9812/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is by statute independent in the exercise of its functions and as Minister I have responsibility for policy formation, resource allocation and corporate governance oversight only.
The request for an organogram providing detail of SFPAs organisational structure and the total staffing by grade are matters for direct response by SFPA and accordingly I have referred these questions for direct response by the SFPA to the Deputy.
SFPA staffing numbers have increased significantly over recent years, from 134 in Quarter 4 of 2019 to 166 today (Quarter 1 2022). The significant increase in SFPA staffing over recent years has been approved to address the additional functions that arose as a result of (i) BREXIT (including export and import certification) and (ii) the serious deficiencies in the Irish fisheries control system which are being pursued under the EU Commission Administrative Inquiry. Significant additional resources have been provided to SFPA in recent years with the SFPA budget allocation for staffing increasing from €12.41m in 2020 to €14.87m in 2022.
As Minister, I am responsible for making appointments to the 3 person SFPA Executive Management Authority. I appointed a new Executive Chairperson/Member to the SFPA Authority on 14 January 2022. There are currently 2 vacancies on the Authority which are due to be advertised shortly by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
