Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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72. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the dramatic reduction in the number of public servants since 2008 has impacted adversely on the provision of public services and if a major recruitment drive is needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1942/16]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Following a period of retrenchment, staffing levels in the Public Service are increasing, and have been since December 2013.   Latest data shows that public service staff numbers increased by just under 5,000 in the first nine months of 2015, on foot of the 2015 Budget decisions, which also included a removal of the Moratorium on Public Service Recruitment. It is also worth noting that even throughout the time of the Moratorium, the Government continued to provide for targeted recruitment into key frontline areas in Education and Health, in particular.  In addition, as part of the Budget for 2016, I announced a further additional 2,260 teachers, up to 600 new Gardai, plus more staff in the Health Sector and for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

As regards the current level of staffing across the Public Service compared to the peak at end 2008, the changes since then need to be understood and assessed in their proper context.  

- In the 5-year period leading up to the end of 2008, public service numbers increased by almost 15%, tracking increases in annual public expenditure levels that have come to define that era.  As we know now, this was unsustainable, and it hardly represents a sensible benchmark for public services for the future.

- There was also an unprecedented economic and fiscal crisis which threatened the sustainability of the public finances.  This required difficult decisions to reduce public service pay rates and public service numbers, among many other difficult decisions.  These were delivered in cooperation with the staff unions, under a series of critically important industrial relations agreements and in tandem with specific sectoral reform measures.    

- Finally, there has been a wide ranging reform agenda, which I launched in 2011, and it has delivered efficiencies and enhanced the effectiveness of public services.  At the heart of the Reform Agenda is a commitment to drive change and continuous improvements to outdated practices and service delivery models in order to protect and enhance key public services.   The introduction of shared services, automation of processes across many areas, and changes to work practices  means that more is being done with less.

It is within this context of a more secure and refomed foundation that I have been willing, and will continue to commit resources across key sectors, which the Government can be more assured will impact directly on improved service levels for people.