Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

267. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the staffing level across the public sector and the expected staffing level at the end of 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40449/14]

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

The number of staff in the Public Service at the end of Quarter 2, 2014 was just over 288,000.

As announced on Budget day last week, new arrangements will be put in place for 2015 to govern how public services are staffed.  The Moratorium is being lifted and there will be no centrally dictated limits on staffing levels.  Instead, there will be a level of autonomy and flexibility to allow public service managers to respond to service needs, within overall pay ceilings.  Where sectoral managers make savings - for example, by recasting the grade mix or reassigning duties or introducing more efficient work practices - such savings can now be reinvested in expanding services, including hiring more staff.   In addition to this, extra funding was provided in Budget 2015 to allow for the recruitment of 1,700 new teachers and special needs assistants for the classroom, and a further 200 new Gardaí.