275. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across his Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given they will have extensive and intimate knowledge of EU and Irish institutional operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54593/26]

I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department currently employs seven Presidency Policy Officers in Dublin on short term temporary contracts and a further five officers on temporary local contracts at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels.

In line with the arrangements applicable to other temporary staff, these officers are not eligible to participate in internal competitions.

Recruitment to the majority of permanent posts in my Department is primarily undertaken through Publicjobs. These officers will be able to apply for future competitions conducted by Publicjobs, where they meet the eligibility requirements.