The Public Accounts Committee has heard that the DPP and the Chief State Solicitor are struggling to hire new staff.
TDs have heard the pay being offered for the public jobs is too low - when workers can earn over the double the same amount in private firms.
Both offices were told to cut back on wages during the downturn, but private sector wages have recovered more quickly.
And the chief state solicitor, Eileen Creedon, says the office needs experienced staff who simply earn too much elsewhere:
