Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the evaluation, if any, that has been made when reducing the public service wage bill on the new demands that might accrue such as longer pension payments, gratuities, welfare payments; when front line gaps result, staff replacement on either a permanent, temporary or contract basis; the expected net savings in the early retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28147/11]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if risk assessments have or are being compiled in the various parts of the public and civil service prior to the current early retirement scheme; if so, if he will provide these to the various Oireachtas committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28148/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 63 together.

My Department has estimated that the payback time for public servants availing of an early retirement scheme is in the region of 26 months. This represents a substantial ongoing saving to the Exchequer. The Government is committed to delivering better value in the public sector in order to reduce the deficit and protect frontline services. There is scope for re-deploying resources which managers must seek to use.

Over the last number of years, enhanced numbers monitoring systems and multi-annual employment frameworks have been put in place. These arrangements will be strengthened to ensure that effect is given to Government decisions on public service numbers and will aid public bodies in adjusting to future staffing levels without sacrificing services. Nevertheless, it is part of the day to day function of the Boards and Management of all public bodies to assess, budget and plan for current and ongoing staffing requirements within necessarily reduced resources.

With regard to existing early retirement schemes there is currently only one very limited early retirement scheme in operation in the public or civil service in the agricultural advisory authority Teagasc. Teagasc is seeking to reduce its staffing levels by 109 using a voluntary early retirement/voluntary redundancy scheme, or through external redeployment to other State agencies or parts of the civil service.