Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Finance the proposed reduction, by sector, in public sector numbers targeted in the draft public service agreement. [18499/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The draft Public Service Agreement, which is subject to ratification by the relevant public service trade unions, notes that reductions in public service staff numbers, along with a range of other initiatives in the area of revised work practices, redeployment etc., could contribute to a more efficient public service, and facilitate the Government's core objective of restoring the public finances to a sustainable position.

This approach is fully in line with the Government's multi-year fiscal consolidation strategy as set out in Budget 2010. In that context, and in particular in the Stability Programme Update of December 2009, the Government indicated the move to a new, more rigorous approach to controlling public service numbers, centring upon the establishment of an agreed annual numbers ceilings, to be managed in accordance with Employment Control Frameworks for each Ministerial Vote Group.

Specifically, the Government intends that overall Public Service numbers should be brought down over the period 2009-2012 broken down as indicated on a sectoral basis in the table.

Note: Staff numbers are whole-time equivalents

The precise ceilings in each area are subject to further Government consideration in certain cases and are, as always, subject to any future Government policy decisions and priorities in regard to public service provision.