680. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of vacancies, by month and by grade, in her Department, and in agencies under the aegis of her Department, in 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46218/24]

The number of vacancies in my Department fluctuates on an ongoing basis.  Vacancies arise across all grades due to staff promotions, staff availing of civil service mobility, career breaks, staff retirements and exits.

During 2023, 112 vacancies arose in my Department of which 109 were backfilled.  The three vacancies  at end of 2023 by grade are as follows:

In 2024, 100 vacancies arose of which 73 vacancies were backfilled.  The 27 remaining vacancies by grade are as follows:

A number of vacancies in 2024 arose following staff promotions from internal competitions to Higher Executive Officer and Assistant Principal held during October to December 2024.

The HR Unit in this Department are in the process of filling these vacancies through publicjobs.ie and Civil Service Mobility.  A monthly breakdown of vacancies is not available.

With regard to vacancies in bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for those bodies and not something for which I have direct day-to-day responsibility.