Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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76. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the full extent to date of recruitment throughout the public sector in the context of economic recovery; the expectation in respect of future recruitments throughout the sector by the end of 2017 and thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47558/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for workforce planning in and recruitment to the Civil Service.

In Budget 2015, it was announced that there will be a targeted programme of recruitment into the Civil Service to address service needs and a shortfall in key skills commencing in late 2014 and continuing. The Deputy will be aware that a number of open competitions have already taken place or are in the process of taking place for recruitment to the Civil Service.

 I understand from the Public Appointments Service, who are the independent recruiter for the civil service, that since the lifting of the moratorium, approximately 5,300 civil servants from open competitions excluding temporary assignments and professional and technical posts, have been assigned to Government departments and offices across all general service grades.

In the Civil Service in 2017, competitions for Clerical Officer, Administrative Officer, Higher Executive Officer, Third Secretary and Principal Officer have taken place.

It is too early to say at this stage what competitions may be held in 2018. Factors such as the demand from Departments/offices from existing panels, consequential vacancies arising, retirements and defined skill demands will influence decisions to hold competitions and these are currently being assessed.

However, it is likely that an Assistant Principal Officer competition will be held in the first half of 2018.