285. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation 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. [54599/26]

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has employed three Presidency Policy Officers and one Presidency Administration Officer under contract in Brussels to support Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

These positions are not part of the Civil Service and the individuals concerned are not civil servants. Consequently, they are not eligible to apply for competitions that are restricted to serving civil servants.  However, these officers may apply for any open competitions for which they meet the eligibility criteria, including competitions for positions in the Civil and Public Service and, where applicable, in the institutions of the European Union.

These contracted officers are intended to provide dedicated support for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026. No specific arrangements are being developed to retain these officers beyond the duration of their contracts. However, the experience and expertise gained through their work supporting the Presidency would be valuable in pursuing future opportunities within the Civil and Public Service and European institutions.