Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Under the public service reform plan, my Department is reviewing the grading structure of the Civil Service. The review will examine the number and distribution of management grades across the Civil Service, the percentage of the pay bill accounted for by such grades and, taking account of organisational needs and best practice, assess the scope to reduce the number of Civil Service management grades. Work has been commenced on the review and, in line with the reform plan, it will be completed during 2013.

Any review of grading structures and the scope of any such reviews in other sectors of the public service - health, education, local authorities and justice group - are matters for management in the parent Departments concerned.

The Government recently extended an invitation to the members of the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to enter discussions with public service management on a new agenda for reductions in the cost of the delivery of public services and substantial longer term productivity improvements and workplace reforms. A parallel process is also under way with the associations representing gardaí and members of the Defence Forces.

It would not be helpful or appropriate to go into the details of the various issues that are part of these discussions. They are subject to ongoing bilateral engagement between the parties in the correct forum, and any comment at this time would not help, and may impede, these discussions.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will brief the House in full on the outcome of any engagements. However, the Government will not be offering any comment on the current negotiations until discussions are concluded in full.

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