Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which recruitment throughout the public service has reopened, with particular reference to the need to replace positions lost during the economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41095/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In my Expenditure Statement for2015, I announced that there will be a targeted programme of recruitment into the civil service to address service needs and a shortfall in key skills consistent with the maintenance of strict control over public service number and pay budgets. This programme commenced in late 2014, is continuing in 2015 and includes a number of open competitions providing employment opportunities for qualified candidates.

The following competitions across a broad range of Civil Service grades have recently been completed or are ongoing at present:

- Temporary Clerical Officer

- Clerical Officer;

- Administrative Officer (i.e. the graduate recruitment grade for the Civil Service), for general service as well as for the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service (IGEES);

- Executive Officer (both for general service and for the ICT area);

- Assistant Principal Officer and

- Principal Officer.

The Moratorium which was in place since March 2009 was not a blanket ban on recruitment, and during its operation, provision was made for targeted recruitment in certain areas, in particular in the key front line sectors in Health, Education and Justice.

With improvements in the fiscal environment, it is possible to employ more people to deliver the critical services that Irish people need. 

On top of the additional resources announced for Budget 2015, under Budget 2016, over 2,260 teachers and up to 600 Gardaí are to be recruited.

This recruitment will bring new people and new skills into the public service and will help address any imbalances which may have developed during the Moratorium.