Written Answers Nos. 211-231
211. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to outline the estimated full-year and short-term Exchequer cost of a 25 percent reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel, including the associated reduction in VAT receipts arising from the lower pump price. [23348/26]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the estimated full-year and short-term (six-month) cost of a 25 percent reduction on Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) for petrol and diesel, including the associated reduction in VAT receipts, are shown in the following tables:
|
25% Reduction on Petrol MOT |
MOT €m |
VAT €m |
Total €m |
|
Six Month Cost |
80.9 |
18.6 |
99.5 |
|
Full Year Cost |
157.0 |
36.1 |
193.1 |
|
25% Reduction on Diesel MOT |
MOT €m |
VAT €m |
Total €m |
|
Six Month Cost |
179.2 |
13.2 |
192.3 |
|
Full Year Cost |
351.0 |
25.8 |
376.8 |
212. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to detail the modelling undertaken by his Department on the expected reduction in average pump prices resulting from the proposed excise duty cut, including the assumed pass-through rate to consumers. [23349/26]
View answer213. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the alternative policy options considered by his Department to reduce fuel costs for households and businesses, including reductions in VAT on fuel, targeted rebates, or broader excise adjustments, and the estimated cost of each option. [23350/26]
View answer214. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the rationale for limiting the proposed excise reduction to a temporary and defined period, and whether longer-duration or scalable measures were considered in light of ongoing volatility in global oil markets. [23351/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 213 and 214 together.
Policy options in regard to support measures must have due regard to EU legislative frameworks. With regard to financial support measures to ease energy price inflation this framework includes the EU Energy Tax Directive, the EU VAT Directive and the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) which governs State Aid measures.
Under the ETD, Member States must comply with the minimum rates for certain fuels and fuel uses. While it is possible to reduce excise on certain fuels and fuel uses, the minimum rates under the ETD must be respected.
For diesel used as a propellant, the minimum rate as set out in the ETD is 33 cents per litre exclusive of VAT. The minimum rate on petrol as per the Energy Tax Directive is approximately 36 cents exclusive of VAT.
As regards the EU VAT Directive, this provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate, unless they fall within the categories of goods and services specified in Annex III of the VAT Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply a lower rate of VAT. Motor fuels, such as petrol and auto-diesel, are not included in the categories of goods and services on which the EU Directive allows a lower rate of VAT or an exemption to be applied, and so they are liable to VAT at the standard rate, currently 23%.
EU State Aid rules as set out in the GBER must also be observed as regards targeted supports for industry.
As announced on 24 March 2026, Government has introduced temporary and targeted measures to reduce fuel prices for households and businesses, with additional supports for key sectors of the Irish economy.
These measures provide for temporary reductions in the rates of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) applying to petrol, auto diesel and Marked Gas Oil (MGO), taking effect from midnight tonight until 31 May 2026.
The rate of MOT will be reduced on a VAT inclusive basis by:
• 15 cent per litre for petrol,
• 20 cent per litre for auto diesel, and
• 3 cent per litre for MGO.
To provide targeted relief to haulage and bus passenger operators, the Government will increase the maximum repayment allowable under the Diesel Rebate Scheme, from 7.5 cent up to 12 cent per litre of diesel. This will apply to diesel purchased from 1 January 2026 until 30 June 2026.
To further ease the financial impact of energy price inflation, the Government will reduce the NORA levy from 2 cent per litre to a nominal amount for a period of two months.
When the excise reductions in petrol and diesel are combined with the changes to the NORA levy, we expect the pass-through rate to be a 22 cent reduction in a litre of diesel and a 17 cent reduction in a litre of petrol, with a 5 cent reduction in the price of MGO.
However, it should be noted that the price of fuel is determined by a number of factors including the wholesale market price, international market dynamics, international exchange rates impacts, distributional costs, and retail pricing policy, as well as taxation.
In order to further support households, the fuel allowance season will be extended by an additional four weeks. This means that the 470,000 households in receipt of the fuel allowance will receive additional financial support of €38 per week, totalling €152.
The measures are concrete actions to help and support families, working people and business with the real and rising cost of fuel and energy.
These supports will be in place for a defined period of time. It is important that we remain nimble, agile and flexible in relation to any set of measures. It is entirely possible that what seem like the appropriate economic measures today may not be appropriate in the weeks and months ahead.
215. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide details of any distributional analysis carried out by his Department on the impact of fuel price increases and proposed mitigation measures on different income groups, including middle-income working households not eligible for social welfare supports. [23352/26]
View answerI am acutely aware of the pressures that rising fuel prices place on households. These are particularly felt by those individuals on lower incomes who spend a greater share of their earnings on essential energy needs. Such households are especially vulnerable to price fluctuations, and the Government recognises the real difficulties this can cause.
While no new distributional analysis has been undertaken specifically in relation to the most recent fuel price developments, previous work by my department consistently shows the same results. Increases in energy costs tend to have a disproportionate impact on lower-income groups. For this reason, the Government is introducing a range of supports aimed at cushioning the impact on those most in need. These measures, including targeted energy supports, are designed to provide timely relief to households facing the greatest financial strain.
At the same time, it is recognised that middle-income working households also come under pressure when energy prices rise. This is why the Government has reduced excise duty by 20 cent on diesel and 15 cent on petrol. In addition, the NORA levy will be reduced by 2 cent per litre, which would bring the total effective cut to 22 cent on diesel and 17 cent on petrol. This broader approach ensures that relief is felt across the income distribution, while remaining focused on protecting the most vulnerable.
Crucially, this support is temporary in nature, as the extent and duration of the current conflict remain uncertain. Nonetheless, the Government will continue to monitor developments closely and stands ready to provide further assistance if necessary.
216. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether the Government’s current budget surplus influenced the scale and duration of the proposed fuel price interventions, and if so, how this assessment was balanced against current cost-of-living pressures. [23353/26]
View answerThe temporary supports announced this week strike an appropriate balance by providing support to households and firms most impacted by rising energy costs, without unduly adding to inflationary pressures.
We must remain flexible in our response. These measures are in place for a defined period of time. As we will navigate this period of volatility, Government reserves the option to adjust its approach as circumstances evolve.
Ireland’s Medium Term Fiscal & Structural Plan was designed to provide Government with the flexibility to respond as necessary to unforeseen shocks. I am confident that the targeted, affordable and temporary measures announced by Government can be accommodated within the existing aggregate spending ceiling.
It is because of our record of solid management of the public finances that we have been able to respond swiftly and decisively to the energy price shock. It is essential that our approach to overall budgetary policy remains balanced and sustainable over the medium term.
217. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the engagement undertaken at EU level regarding coordinated responses to energy price shocks, including any discussions on excise flexibility, VAT measures, or joint purchasing mechanisms. [23354/26]
View answerThe recent volatility in energy prices is an issue which my Government and the Governments of our fellow EU Member States take very seriously, both in terms of the impact on citizens, and the effect on European businesses and competitiveness more broadly.
At Eurogroup in Brussels on the 9th of March, I met with my fellow euro area Finance Ministers to discuss the impact of the energy price shocks on the European economy and some of the measures Member States are considering in this regard. Subsequently, at the European Council last week, EU leaders collectively called on the Commission to develop a toolbox of targeted and temporary measures which Member States can draw upon. We are all keenly aware of the need to stay coordinated in our actions and will continue to discuss the situation, including at another virtual meeting of the Eurogroup this Friday the 27th of March.
At the national level, I have engaged with my Cabinet colleagues and we have agreed to introduce temporary and targeted measures to mitigate the impact of the rise in energy prices. Our actions are in line with the approaches of other EU Member States. These measures will make a real difference to the households and businesses being placed under increased financial pressure as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Gulf and wider Middle East Region.
It is important to note that Ireland is approaching this challenge from a position of relative strength, with budgetary surpluses giving us the capacity to respond as needed to external shocks. This is a positive reflection of Government’s balanced approach to overall budgetary policy.
The measures will strike an appropriate balance between providing support to those most exposed, whilst allowing us to maintain our fiscal capacity for further interventions if needed. These measures will be in place for a defined period of time but the option to renew, extend or adjust will be determined as circumstances evolve.
218. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide the range of oil price and supply shock scenarios currently being modelled by his Department. [23355/26]
View answerThe conflict in the Middle East and the disruption to energy supplies have, to date, caused significant volatility in global commodity prices. At this point, there is no clarity regarding the depth and duration of the conflict and consequently there is considerable uncertainty regarding the future path of energy prices.
My Department will publish its spring forecasts in the Annual Progress Report (APR) next month. The APR will also include macroeconomic analysis based on a range of potential scenarios for commodity prices.
219. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of the number of instances, identify of and cost of same, of the use of private investigation companies or persons by the State Claims Agency from 2021 to-date in 2026. [23398/26]
View answerThe National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) has informed me that the State Claims Agency (SCA) engages private investigators, where required, for the purposes of claims management, including for the service of witness summonses. The table below contains the transactional amounts paid by the SCA in Agency investigators fees (including VAT, where applicable) to private investigators, in connection with these claims.
The number of payments does not equate to the number of times a private investigator may have been engaged nor is it an indication of the number of claims to which they have been appointed.
The figures include payments between 01/01/2021 and 28/02/2026 and are correct as of 01/03/2026.
The table shows the private investigators that received Agency investigators fees paid in the period 2021 – 2026 (to end Feb) and the number of payments involved.
220. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount that was collected on each element of fuel taxes in Ireland for each of the past five years. [23409/26]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the relevant duty rates on fuel are published on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/excise/excise-duty-rates/energy-excise-duty-rates.pdf.
I am further advised by Revenue that a breakdown of excise receipts for 2024 and prior years is available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/excise/receipts-volume-and-price/excise-receipts-commodity.aspx.
In relation to VAT, I am further advised by Revenue that traders are not required to identify the VAT yield generated from the supply of specific goods and services on their VAT returns. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the VAT yield on all fuel and energy related products and services using taxpayer information alone. However, using Revenue and third-party data sources, a tentative estimate of the VAT generated on fuel and energy products can be provided.
The total receipts for Mineral Oil Tax (MOT), Solid Fuel Carbon Tax (SFCT), Natural Gas Carbon Tax (NGCT), and an estimate of VAT receipts in respect of fuel for the past five years is provided in the table below.
It should be noted that VAT is a tax paid by the final consumer. Each party in the chain of supply (manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer) acts as a VAT collector. They collect VAT from their customer and include that VAT in their VAT return to Revenue. Every VAT registered business makes a VAT return which reflects the VAT they have paid and the VAT they have collected in the relevant VAT period. An appropriate payment is then made to or from Revenue on foot of the VAT return.
221. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount that was collected on each element of inheritance tax in Ireland for each of the past five years. [23410/26]
View answerI am informed by Revenue that the breakdown of the 2025 CAT receipts will be published in May. The link below sets out the CAT receipts for the previous years: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/receipts/cat-receipts.pdf.
222. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the name of the insurers that have now signed up to the voluntary Motor Insurance Transparency Code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23411/26]
View answerThe Motor Insurance Transparency Code was developed by a working group comprising insurers and intermediaries, with the support of the Department of Finance and the Central Bank of Ireland. The Code is designed to enhance trust, clarity, transparency, and understanding in how motor insurance premiums are communicated to consumers.
The Motor Insurance Transparency Code is open to adoption by all insurers and intermediaries selling private motor insurance in the State, including cross-border entities.
Aviva and Insurance Ireland were members of the working group that developed the Code and account for approximately 97.5% of the private motor market in gross written premium terms, with the remaining 2.5% comprised of smaller Managing General Agents (MGAs). Both Aviva and members of Insurance Ireland have highlighted their commitment to the Code and its adoption.
223. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to consider reducing inheritance tax and ultimately phasing it out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23473/26]
View answer224. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to urgently reform the inheritance tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23477/26]
View answer225. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to support an organisation (details supplied) calling for the immediate introduction of a lifetime tax-free threshold for all citizens in relation to inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 224 and 225 together.
Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is a tax which applies to both gifts and inheritances and is charged at a rate of 33%. For CAT purposes, the relationship between the person giving a gift or inheritance and the person who receives it determines the maximum amount, known as the “Group threshold”, below which CAT does not arise. It is important to say that the group thresholds were most recently increased in Budget 2025 as follows:
The Group A threshold, which in general applies where the beneficiary is a child of the disponer, increased to €400,000 from €335,000.
The Group B threshold increased to €40,000 from €32,500. This threshold applies where the beneficiary is a brother, sister, niece, nephew, or lineal ancestor or lineal descendant of the disponer.
The Group C threshold increased to €20,000 from €16,250, with this threshold applying in all other cases.
These increases amounted to an increase of approximately 19.4% on Group A, while Group B and C Thresholds increased by 23%.
My officials examined CAT as part of last year's annual Tax Strategy Group exercise. The resultant papers outlined the tax policy considerations for the Government and the options available to it in forming last year's Budget. They were published in advance of the Budget and are the best means of considering issues such as inheritance tax in an analytical and transparent way. The Tax Strategy Group is not a decision-making body and the papers produced by my Department are simply a list of options and issues to be considered in the Budgetary process. The Tax Strategy Group paper relating to CAT also examined a number of cost modelling exercises, including proposals to amend the Group B threshold parameters which I am aware a number of Deputies have raised in the past year.
As demonstrated by that exercise, there is a significant associated cost with further changes to the group thresholds. However that said I do understand the concerns raised and the burden of capital taxation. I will be meeting members from the EDIT group shortly and a further review will take place this year.
Finally, the Deputy should note that any further changes to the thresholds and who falls within these thresholds must be considered among various other demands within the overall Budget package, as they have been in the past. In that regard, you should note that the CAT group thresholds are kept under review annually by my officials throughout the Finance Bill cycle.
226. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation how and where the carbon tax funds were allocated for the years 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23255/26]
View answerIn line with the Government’s commitment to allocate funding over this decade to support climate action measures and to ensure the most vulnerable are protected from unintended impacts of the Carbon Tax increase, between Budget 2020 and Budget 2026, over €4.2 billion in additional Carbon Tax revenues has been allocated to programmes to support a range of social protection, decarbonisation and agri-environmental measures.
This total includes over €2 billion allocated to the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment to support Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes, including the Warmer Homes Scheme, the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, the Better Energy Homes Scheme, the Community Energy Grant scheme and the Solar PV Scheme.
It also includes €539 million funded from increases in the Carbon Tax to part-fund the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and to continue prior commitments on green agriculture pilot projects. This will support farmers as they undertake a range of actions which will result in improved outcomes on biodiversity, climate, air and water quality.
From Budget 2020 to date, €140 million of Carbon Tax revenue has also been allocated to the Department of Transport to support sustainable transport measures such as greenways and electric vehicles. In addition, €35 million has been allocated to the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage to fund peatlands rehabilitation, which delivers a range of climate and ecosystem benefits, as well as €42 million allocated to the Just Transition Fund to support the areas most affected by the transition to climate neutrality, ensuring that no one is left behind.
A breakdown of the annual allocations of Carbon Tax Funds to key areas is set out below:
|
Programme |
Department |
2020 €m |
2021 €m |
2022 €m |
2023 €m |
2024 €m |
2025 €m |
2026 €m |
|
Retrofitting & Community Energy Efficiency |
DCEE |
13 |
113 |
202 |
291 |
380 |
469 |
558 |
|
ODA - Green Climate Fund |
DCEE |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Just Transition Fund |
DCEE |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and green agriculture pilots |
DAFM |
3 |
23 |
3 |
81 |
113 |
143 |
173 |
|
Sustainable Transport Measures |
D/Transport |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
|
Peatlands Rehabilitation |
DHLGH |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Once-off Pilot Housing Regeneration Programme |
DHLGH |
20 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Targeted Social Protection Interventions |
DSP |
21 |
69 |
174 |
218 |
262 |
306 |
350 |
|
Total |
|
90 |
238 |
412 |
623 |
788 |
951 |
1,114 |
The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation issues an annual publication on Budget Day titled The Use of Carbon Tax Funds, which contains further detail on these allocations, and includes information on the programmes funded from these amounts. All previous versions of this report are available on the Department’s website.
227. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if a contractor to a local authority can also lobby the same local authority on behalf of a development company, during the contracted time period. [23513/26]
View answerThe Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 provides for a web-based Register of Lobbying to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials on specific policy, legislative matters or prospective decisions. Under the Act, Local Authorities have a number of Designated Public Officials (DPOs). These are:
• Councillors
• Chief Executives and equivalent grades
• Assistant Chief Executive (Dublin City Council only)
• Directors of Services
• Heads of Finance
• Head of Human Resources (Dublin City Council only)
If a lobbyist communicates with these DPOs in relation to a relevant matter, the lobbyist must register on the Register of Lobbying and submit returns three times per year.
Section 5(5) provides for communications that are exempt under the Act. Communications by those engaged on contract by a public service body, made in that capacity and relating to the functions of the public service body, are exempt communications and do not need to be included in returns. Communications requesting factual information or providing factual information in response to a request for the information are also exempt. However, if communication to the DPO relates to changing or influencing a local authority policy, it is considered a relevant matter and will need to be declared by the lobbyist when publishing returns on the register.
The Act does not restrict contractors lobbying DPOs during the contracted time with the public body.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
228. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide a detailed update on the status of the Civil Service Regulations and Public Service Management (Amendment) Bill 2018; when it will be published; when it is likely to be ordered for second stage; if he will provide detail as possible with regard to the measures intended to be included in the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23141/26]
View answerThe Civil Service Regulation and Public Service Management (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill aims to modernise the legislative framework by updating the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 and the Public Service Management Act 1997, enabling disciplinary authority up to and including dismissal to be assigned below Ministerial level. My officials continue to review the detailed policy considerations, and the Bill is now at an advanced drafting stage. Once drafting is finalised, Government approval will be sought to publish it. The Bill is included on the list of priority legislation, and the key measures to be provided for are those set out in the General Scheme of the Bill (2018), which is being made available alongside this reply.
229. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position of the memorandum of understanding between the representative body for insurance companies in Ireland, an organisation (details supplied) and the Office of Public Works in relation to flood insurance; and if his attention has been drawn to instances where consumers have been unable to avail of flood insurance due to a non-acceptance of the memorandum of understanding by insurance companies. [23194/26]
View answerThe Department of Finance has overall responsibility for policy matters in relation to insurance, including flood insurance.
The Department of Finance engages with the insurance industry on all aspects of insurance reform, including flood cover issues. These matters are a priority for the Government and efforts continue to be made to encourage a responsive approach to the provision of flood insurance from the insurance industry. The Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance has met with the CEOs of the major insurers where he strongly emphasised to industry the need to take a reasonable approach to the provision of cover where properties are proven to be in low risk areas, including after investment in flood defences.
The OPW has a role to assist insurance companies to take into account the protection provided by completed flood defence schemes. In this regard, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry. The MoU sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding.
While the MoU does not guarantee the availability of insurance, Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these protected areas. The decision on whether to offer insurance, the level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis. Neither the Minister for Finance or the Central Bank of Ireland can direct the provision or pricing of insurance products, in accordance with the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive).
Insurance Ireland operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be contacted at 01 676 1820 or feedback@insuranceireland.eu. Similarly, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers in Ireland, has access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers when sourcing cover. Brokers Ireland can be reached at 01 661 3067. Furthermore, where an individual considers that they have been treated unfairly, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01 567 7000.
230. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the current levels of staffing in the Office of the Information Commissioner; the current number of vacant positions; and the total target workforce. [23236/26]
View answerSee the below table:
|
Staff Grades in Office of the Information Commissioner |
Headcount |
|
AO |
5 |
|
AP |
14 |
|
CO |
2 |
|
EO |
3 |
|
HEO |
1 |
|
TCO |
1 |
|
PO |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
27
|
There are currently no vacancies in the Office of the Information Commissioner. Staffing levels are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure there is the appropriate number of staff to deal with the work of the OIC.
231. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the current levels of staffing in the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information; the current number of vacant positions; the total target workforce; and details of any estimate as to required staffing level by the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information. [23239/26]
View answerSee the below table:
|
Staff Grades in Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information (OCEI) |
Headcount |
|
AO |
1 |
|
AP |
14 |
|
PO |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
16
|
There are currently no vacancies in the OCEI. Staffing levels are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure there is the appropriate number of staff to deal with the work of the OCEI.
