Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of derogations from the moratorium on public sector recruitment that have been granted; the circumstances in which these were granted; the number of derogations that have been given specifically in cases of maternity leave; the agencies or working areas in which these were granted; if any cost benefit research has been conducted on the moratorium; if he has an estimate of the saving to the public sector pay bill, including maternity leave cover, due to the moratorium; and if, as part of the ongoing review of the effectiveness of the moratorium, he will consider excluding maternity leave cover from same. [30167/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Data relating to moratorium derogations is currently being updated and will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.

As I explained recently in response to the Deputy's other questions, exceptions from the moratorium can be considered in a number of special circumstances relating to the post in question and the nature of the duties involved. However, the reason why a post has become vacant in the first place (whether, for example through retirement, staff movement, or staff leave such as maternity leave) is not a factor in such decision.

The moratorium was introduced in March 2009. By the end 2011 the public service is on target to be almost 19,000 smaller and cost €1.5bn less than 2008 levels. Additional details are set out on my Department's website.