Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

In view of the likelihood of public servants being redeployed to assist with excessive workloads in areas such as the Department of Social Protection, would it be possible to bring forward No. 118 of the proposed legislative programme, namely, the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (amendment) Bill? The purpose of this, according to the programme, is "To remove barriers to mobility and redeployment from statutory recruitment and appointment procedures for posts in the Civil and Public Service and to address other issues that arise on changing employer". To what extent is this Bill being discussed in the Cabinet? Is it likely to be a prerequisite to other changes that may take place? I am aware that quite a number of civil and public servants require redeployment and they are anxious that the legislation be passed?

See this speech in context