Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

229. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide further information regarding the targeted lifting of the public service embargo on recruitment as announced in the budget; the number of positions envisaged to be filled in 2015 and the way these positions will be allocated between the various local authorities and public service Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42965/14]

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

As I announced on Budget Day last month, I will seek to put in place new arrangements to replace the Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion in the Public Service from 2015 onwards.  This will be subject to the issuance of formal delegated sanction by my Department to all other Government Departments and Offices, in return for agreed commitments by them to manage staff resources within agreed pay ceilings and to meet ongoing reform and efficiency objectives.  Under the new arrangements, which my Department is beginning to discuss in detail with the other Government Departments, sectorial managers will be incentivised to make further savings.  Where this is achieved  - 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 to meet demand, including hiring more staff as appropriate. 

Accordingly, there will not be any pre-set targets for numbers of positions to be filled in a given year, nor for allocation of numbers between different public service bodies. Rather, front-line managers in individual Government Departments and bodies will have greater autonomy in managing staff resources to meet service needs, including hiring staff where warranted, subject to remaining within agreed pay ceilings, and meeting reform and efficiency objectives. There will be restrictions and controls to prevent unwarranted grade drift and unsustainable recruitment, and recruitment will be carried by the Public Appointment Service in the normal course of events.  In general terms, the number and location of vacancies filled  will be determined by such factors as retirement rates and Departments and Offices deciding on their service priorities and optimal grade mix over the period ahead, with reference to their pay ceilings.  The approach is for the Public Appointment Service to create panels of suitable candidates from which Departments and Offices can draw down as the need arises.