Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals for the next phase of downsizing of the public service; the discussions that have taken place on this issue; the targets in terms of downsizing to be achieved for the remainder of 2012 and the targets for 2013 in terms of the gross numbers of staff leaving, additional employment and the net reduction in public sector numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13052/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware from my reply to PQ number 8485/12 last month policy decisions have not yet been taken with regard to numbers targets for 2013 and 2014. However, as published in the Public Service Reform Plan, the Government's Public Service numbers target is 282,500 by end-2015.

The Public Service Reform Plan published on the 17 November last sets out the Government's target of bringing public service staffing numbers to 282,500 by end-2015. In moving towards this objective, the end-2011 provisional outturn was 296,900, and the Employment Control Framework (ECF) for 2012 set a ceiling of 294,400 on numbers by the end of this year. This will allow scope for some targeted recruitment (of the order of 3,000) so as to address needs in key areas of front-line services (particularly in the Health and Education Sectors) and other strategic requirements. ECF ceilings for 2013 and 2014 have not yet been decided upon.

Following the expiry in recent days of the grace period for retirements, my Department will now be reviewing the aggregate staffing numbers situation and we will be then deciding on the appropriate path and measures for the period 2012 to 2015 so as to ensure achievement of the Government's end 2015 target of 282,500.

As the Deputy will also be aware the Government has established Strategic Workforce Planning groups in the Education, Health Civil Service, Local Authorities, Defence & Justice Sectors. These Workforce Planning Groups will ensure that sectoral employers are developing plans to deal with the operational and strategic consequences arising from staffing reductions. These sectoral groups are liaising with the central Strategic Workforce Planning Forum under my Department.

I am confident that given the number of departures in 2011, together with estimated retirement numbers for 2012 we are on track to meet our target for 2012 of 294,400. This will allow scope to recruit staff where necessary to maintain essential services, mainly in the Health and Education sectors.