Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has applied a moratorium on recruitment to any sector of the public service in 2016; the requests for additional staff he received, approved in full, partially approved and refused in respect of all Government Departments and agencies in 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13049/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Moratorium on the Recruitment in the Public Service no longer applies. It was formally brought to an end last year. In 2015, public service numbers increased by more than 8,500 and so far this year, public service numbers have increased by more than 2,000. It is important to note that the increases recorded in 2016 are largely a result of Budget-day decisions to provide funding for more than 2,200 new teachers, 600 more Gardaí, and increased medical and health care staff in the health service.

In terms of employment control measures, all Government departments are now operating under new delegated staff management arrangements, which allows them to hire staff as needed, within the expenditure ceilings proposed by Government and voted on by the Dáil. It is a matter for each department to develop and manage similar delegated arrangements with their agencies. This new approach provides more local control of recruitment and staff allocation generally, giving managers increased flexibility to respond to service needs.

Underlying this is a requirement to implement reforms that improve how public services are delivered and that achieve savings which can be reinvested in frontline services. The Public Service has delivered significant productivity gains and service improvements over the last number of years, as set out in the recently published Annual Progress Report on the Public Service Reform Plan. We must build on this progress and it is essential that targeted recruitment and investment in public services is carried out in tandem with further reform. This includes, for example, more digital delivery of services and improved customer service and business processes.

It is still the case that approval must be sought for additional posts at more senior levels (above Principal Officer level) and for new State bodies. I have the relevant information about such posts for the Deputy in hard copy, which shows that the number of requests for additional posts, over and above those announced by the Government in the Budget, is less than 100. The most notable request arising for new State Bodies was the approval for 21 staff for the new Policing Authority, which was established on 1 January this year.

Up to date information on current staffing levels across the public service is available on my Department's web site at .