Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 43: To ask the Minister for Defence the grades or levels in respect of the 15 posts to be lost in his Department at which the cuts will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24699/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government decision of 8 July 2008 instructed all Departments to achieve a 3% reduction in payroll costs in 2009. In order to achieve these savings, it was necessary from that date to impose severe restrictions on the filling of vacancies in my Department.

On 27 March 2009 the Government imposed a moratorium on recruitment and promotion. Subsequently, it introduced the incentivised schemes for early retirement and career breaks.

The combined effect of the foregoing measures is that since July 2008 some 20 vacancies in my Department have not been filled. The posts in question are at all grades up to and including Principal Officer. The number of further vacancies arising this year will largely depend on the level of take-up of the incentivised early retirement and career break schemes.

A process of re-organisation and work prioritisation is being implemented in my Department in order to mitigate the impact of the reduced staffing levels.