Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

While I appreciate the work being done by the Public Service Pay Commission, I specifically want to know what will happen in the next quarter. Will there be any focused recruitment campaign launched for the health service or the education sector in which there is also a crisis in finding substitute teachers.

The latter matter was highlighted on a number of occasions, particularly in the past week.

I note the commission is looking at pay and conditions, but is there a plan to examine overall HR practices within the civil and public services? Are these best practice, in terms of where we are at in 2018 and in terms of the lifestyle trends of people who we want to get working? Do they facilitate the choices people are making now, in terms of taking time out to travel and for other reasons, such as further study? Can the Minister honestly say that the HR practices across the civil and public services are fit for purpose in 2018?

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