A total of 8 Presidency Policy Officers, equivalent to the civil service grade of Administrative Officer, have been or will be, employed by my Department on a temporary basis for the purposes of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, due to commence on the 1st July 2026. 5 of the Policy Officers are assigned to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels with 2 more due to commence shortly. In addition, it is anticipated that an eighth Presidency Policy Officer will be assigned imminently to the Dublin office.
The policy officers are involved in aspects of the work of the Department directly related to the Presidency. It is envisaged that temporary Presidency Policy Officers will conclude their roles by the end of 2026 or early 2027.