Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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65. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which recruitment will be approved across the public sector over the next two years, while maintaining guidelines agreed with the troika; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6224/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I announced in Budget 2015 that the Moratorium on recruitment to the Public Service is to be replaced in 2015 with new arrangements giving Departments greater flexibility in managing their staffing resources.  This will be subject to Departments remaining within binding pay ceilings and meeting ongoing efficiency and reform objectives. My Department is currently engaging with all Government Departments in ensuring that the necessary structures and controls are in place to allow for the new framework to be rolled out. Where agreement is reached that such structures and controls are in place, formal delegated sanction will then be issued. 

Once the sanction is issued, it will be a matter for Departments to manage their staffing resources, including recruitment and promotion to key services, subject to overall pay limits.

I would point out to the Deputy that there is ongoing recruitment in the Public Service.  Most recently in Budget 2015, in Education, I made provision for more than 1,700 additional teachers, Special Needs Assistants and resource teachers. I similarly made provision for additional front line staff in the Health and Justice Sectors. 

There are no specific guidelines agreed with the Troika with regard to recruitment into the Public Service.