847 Deputy George Lee asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [48313/09]

The total number of staff employed by my Department on 1 January, 2010 was 1,186 (full-time equivalents). My Department has an extensive policy, legislative and capital investment mandate, and employs staff with a wide range of professional qualifications. In addition, many administrative staff have degrees in a variety of subjects. However, while economists/statisticians are currently employed in the Climate Change and Housing areas, my Department's Human Resources records do not hold information in a way that would readily identify staff who hold an economics degree, a post graduate economics degree or a PhD in economics. My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, requires that all professional and technical staff recruited into my Department possess the necessary qualifications and experience for the posts concerned and these are specified for the individual competitions.