Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

28. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the public sector recruitment embargo will be completely lifted; and if analysis has been done on the way the employment embargo is actually adding to budgetary costs and to delays in service provision in health, education and many other Departments. [5773/15]

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

As I have previously advised the House, the Moratorium on recruitment to the Public Service was introduced in 2009 in response to the severe economic and fiscal challenges faced by the country at that time. As a policy device it was very successful, reducing public service numbers by some 10%, with savings of over €3 billion.  This made a very important contribution to the stabilising of the public finances. The Moratorium was not, however, a blanket ban on recruitment.  During its operation, provision was made for targeted recruitment in the sectors to which the Deputy refers - Health and Education, and also in the Justice sector. 

Most recently, in Budget 2015, I made provision:

-for some 1,700 teachers, SNA and resource teachers; and

- for a further 100 Garda recruits in 2015, on top of an additional 200 in late 2014;

In addition, targeted recruitment into the Civil Service which began in 2014, is continuing this year in the grades of Clerical Officer, Executive Officer, Administrative Officer, Assistant Principal Officer and Principal Officer.

The Deputy may also be aware, as I announced on Budget day, that arrangements are currently being put in place to replace the Moratorium with a framework whereby management of public service staffing will be delegated to Departments and frontline managers. 

The new framework will, subject to binding overall pay ceilings, and commitment to ongoing reform and efficiency objectives, give front-line managers greater flexibility to manage staffing in response to service needs as they arise. My officials are currently finalising the details of the new framework with the other Government Departments.