Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 17: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to protect key front-line services such as health, gardaí and fire services in order that they will not be decimated through early retirements; if he will prioritise protecting these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35125/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the first instance, it is part of the day to day function of Ministers and Senior Management of all Departments within their budgetary allocation to assess, budget and plan for current and ongoing staffing requirements including the identifying of key posts, service levels and the deployment of internal staff resources. This process is informed by a wide range of factors relevant to a Department's operating environment, including assessment of service needs and the impact of population changes.

Should a Department identify a potential exception to the moratorium on recruitment the sanction of my Department must then be sought. Exceptions to the Moratorium may be granted on the following basis:

a) statutory posts which have to be filled for legal reasons;

b) where failure to fill posts would result in a breach of EU/international regulations and impact upon exports etc.;

c) safety related posts - failure to fill them could leave the state open to potential legal liabilities or for security reasons;

d) specialist/technical posts to ensure continuity of operations e.g. legal officers; laboratory staff, maritime safety, etc.;

e) to ensure continuity of frontline services.

Redeployment must be the primary mechanism to fill posts which have been approved. In addition, in the case of the Education and Health Sector, a number of grades are exempted from the Moratorium in order to ensure that these vital services are maintained.