224 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for Finance the number of civil service staff in his Department; the number of these staff who hold an economics degree; the number of these staff who hold a post graduate economics degree; the number of these staff who hold a PhD in economics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48314/09]

At 31 December 2009 there were 606 people (560.78 wholetime equivalent) employed in my Department.

There are currently 57 officers who hold degrees in Economics and related disciplines, 44 who hold a Masters graduate qualification in Economics and related disciplines, and 2 officers who hold a PhD. Some officers will, of course, be included in more than 1 of these categories.

My Department has a long-standing policy of recruiting economists. Individuals with skills and qualifications in economics are employed at almost all levels in the Department. The Deputy will be interested to know that, of the last 7 appointments at Assistant Secretary level in the Department, 5 had Masters qualifications in economics or related disciplines, while 2 had primary degrees in economics or related disciplines.