Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will introduce a public sector recruitment freeze; if he will give a commitment that this will not result in any deterioration of front-line services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31330/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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On 8 July last, I announced a number of cost saving measures that the Government had decided to implement with immediate effect. These measures included a 3% reduction in the payroll bill of all Departments, State Agencies and Local Authorities, with the exception of certain sectors of the Health and Education areas. To meet this requirement, a range of measures were outlined to all Departments. These included curtailing or suspending staff recruitment with immediate effect, the control of premium pay, the management of vacancies, the organisation of work processes and the level at which work is done. The measures announced in July are designed to minimise the effects on users of public services to the greatest extent possible, including by identifying efficiencies in the way such services are delivered. The Government's priority is to manage the current situation sensibly in order to ensure that we create the right environment to return to sustainable economic growth as soon as possible. Any further proposals for the control of public sector pay or numbers will be considered in the context of the Budget.