Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has developed the terms of a scheme of voluntary redundancies for the public service; the details of the scheme; and the staff reductions planned. [12562/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Proposals for Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) are being developed at present for the public service. However, I would point out that VER has to be seen in the wider context of the problems facing the public finances, and the related requirement for greater control and discipline in regard to public service numbers generally.

The programme of rationalisation of State agencies, which I announced in Budget 2009, is relevant in this regard. Work on implementing the rationalisation measures is now proceeding across all relevant Government Departments, and the broad approach to identifying and addressing staff surpluses may arise for consideration in particular areas. The options for redeployment of staff generally within the civil service, and across the wider public service, are issues that logically fall to be considered in advance of the question of VER, and indeed my Department is considering these issues proactively at present.

Moreover, the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was established to examine the current expenditure programmes in each Department and to make recommendations for reducing public service numbers so as to assist the Government in its task of returning the public finances to a sustainable position. The potential staff savings identified by the Special Group, and the mechanisms for addressing any surpluses, will likewise fall to be considered by the Government in due course in the context of an overall approach to controlling public service numbers, including any possible role for VER schemes in this regard.