538. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year cost of recruiting three additional full-time archaeologists for his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53332/19]

As of 1 January 2020, the pay scale of an archaeologist commences at €31,687 rising incrementally to €66,118.  Full details of the pay scale is listed in the tables:

Upon recruitment, a full-time archaeologist is placed on point one of the scale.  Therefore, the full-year cost to this Department of recruiting three new archaeologists at the first point of the scale is €95,061.