Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Finance if an embargo on the recruitment of staff exists within the public service; if such an embargo exists for all grades of staff; the basis for such an embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8035/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There is no embargo on the recruitment of staff for any sector within the public service. The Government has, over the last number of years, followed a policy under which the growth in public service employment has slowed overall. The Government will continue to control and regulate numbers employed in the public service within agreed ceilings. Organisations can recruit staff within the overall ceiling which has been agreed for their sector. It is a matter for each individual Department and sector of the public service and relevant Minister to set priorities to give effect to this policy.