391 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of civil servants in his Department in receipt of a full salary and by whom no work has been undertaken in the past month; the cost of employing these staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13495/07]

The total number of sanctioned posts in my Department is 1,568.

A total of 21 staff in my Department were on statutory or civil service-related leave for the past four weeks, while in receipt of a full salary. The details relating to these staff are set out in the following table.

The total salary paid to these staff for the period in question was €65,565.

Applications from staff for any form of leave or absence entitlements are examined and granted in compliance with Department of Finance and Civil Service regulations.