Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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15. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the public sector recruitment embargo to be completely lifted; the extent to which he expects recruitment to take place across the public sector in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35862/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy will recall that at the time of my Expenditure Statement last October I announced an end to the Moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service, to be replaced with new delegated management arrangements to be phased in during 2015 and 2016. These arrangements, which now apply to most Government departments give public service managers the means to respond to service needs as they arise, including considerable flexibility to make staffing and service level delivery decisions at the front line consistent with the resources allocated to pay budgets.

These new arrangements represent a significant shift away from centralised control and allow for greater flexibility in the management of public service staffing resources.  The new approach has also facilitated the introduction of a targeted programme of recruitment into the civil service - my area of direct responsibility in terms of public service employment overall - to address service needs and a shortfall in key skills. 

As far as the Civil Service is concerned significant recruitment has already occurred this year. At this stage, in advance of the outcome of various competitions, it is not possible to be definitive about actual numbers that will be recruited to the Civil Service in the course of 2016.  These will be determined by a number of factors including workforce planning, retirement rates and Departments' deciding on their optimal grade mix over the period ahead, with reference to their pay budgets.

It is important to note, that the new arrangements remain consistent with the maintenance of appropriate controls on public service numbers consistent with the resources available for the public service pay bill overall. For example, as of end-June 2015, the latest audited numbers available, public service numbers stood at 293,811 in full-time equivalent terms which represents a significant reduction on the 2008 figure of 320,387.