Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason, despite the completion of the progress report on the Croke Park agreement which found that the total reduction in the number of public servants during the 12 months under review was 5,349, [i]publicjobs.ie[/i] has in recent months embarked on a recruitment drive for temporary clerical officers across the State within the public service. [20331/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Government is committed to the reduction of between 18,000 and 21,000 in overall public service numbers by 2014, relative to the end-2010 position, with a further 4,000 reduction in 2015, subject to there being no compulsory redundancies and to the protection of front line services. The measures necessary to give effect to these reductions will depend in part on the rate of natural wastage and the decisions taken under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure on the required future size of particular sectors and bodies. This reduction in overall public sector numbers covers a range of grades and represents a permanent reduction in numbers while, in contrast, Temporary Clerical Officer appointments are of short-term duration and do not represent an ongoing cost.

Vacancies for Temporary Clerical Officers arise from time to time in various Government Departments and Offices throughout the country. Such temporary vacancies are filled by way of recruitment campaigns undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The most recent campaign was announced on 24th February 2011 and closed on 2nd March 2011. In excess of 13,500 applications were received and processed by PAS and as of 11 July 2011, 748 candidates have taken up offers of assignment. The majority of these temporary vacancies arise during the summer period to cover peak operational needs and unpaid leave arrangements that staff can avail of such as term-time and provide necessary flexibility in managing work-flows. Vacancies may also arise at various times during the rest of the year. The duration of these temporary contracts will vary from post to post and according to the needs of the appointing Department/Office.