Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Last month, I launched a new public service reform plan for the next three years. Building on the achievements of the previous plan, the new plan sets out ambitious new reform targets for the public service. It sets out a very clear vision for each of the main sectors within the public service, namely, health, education, local government, justice and the Civil Service. Underpinning each of the specific sectoral objectives is a recognition of the need for sectoral managers across the public service to better and more quickly align resources and staff to meet service need and identify savings to be reinvested in front-line services.

In the reform plan and the Haddington Road agreement I provided a very clear strategic path for the future of the public service. It is now a matter for public service managers to deliver the new reforms, embrace the initiatives set out in the reform plan and make full use of all the tools available under the Haddington Road agreement.

I am aware from previous questions asked by the Deputy that she is concerned about the disparity between the number of public servants available in different areas. For example, workers in one local authority may have to cater for a much larger population than a similar number of workers in another local authority area. The Deputy has made this point well and I agree with her on the matter. One could also examine issues related to the disposition of nursing staff in providing a service to the same cohort of population. Differences have developed historically and it is very difficult in a time of limited resources to redress these imbalances. However, I take cognisance of and acknowledge the validity of the points the Deputy has made on this issue.

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