Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, I do not have any plans to change the way in which we structure pension payments beyond the changes we have already made. "No" is the short answer to that question. To address the two other points which the Deputy put to me, in respect of mobility I made the point earlier that I think it is improving. It is not that I think that. It is improving. There must be a trade-off however. We have to allow people to stay in a job long enough to build up the expertise needed to do that job before moving onto another assignment. Each Government Department must put together a workforce plan to deal with matters like that.

In respect of the Deputy's point on our diverse population, only yesterday the Public Appointments Service gave a presentation in Trinity College on new ways in which we might recruit people from the new communities which form part of modern Ireland. As we speak, the Public Appointments Service is seeking to change its website to make it more appropriate and understandable for those from the new communities to which the Deputy referred. We have now started an outreach programme in secondary schools which will be implemented by PAS through career guidance teachers. It focuses on the value and diversity of careers within the Civil Service. All that is under way.

I take a very positive view of the impact the diversity in our community is having and what it will mean for our economy in the future. It is wonderful to think that in a few years' time we will have people working in the Civil Service whose mams and dads were born outside of our country, or who were themselves. I can see it now at entry level. I am beginning to see a change. If one looks at the programme which will be on in schools in west Dublin and central Dublin, in a few year's time when the diversity we now have in our classrooms and colleges passes into employers, including our Civil Service, it will be a huge source of strength for Ireland. I take a different view on that kind of diversity to that others in politics at the moment might take.