Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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88. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if jobs can be secured from the Civil Service mobility scheme for rural areas (details supplied). [18106/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Civil Service Mobility scheme which comes under the remit of my department, and is administered through HR Shared Service, National Shared Service Office, offers an opportunity for Civil Service staff to apply for mobility through an open and transparent system. The establishment of the scheme fulfils one of the requirements of Action 15 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan; and Action 14 of the People Strategy for the Civil Service which calls for the further expansion of a coherent mobility policy to facilitate staff development.

As the Deputy may be aware, the scheme launched on 13th November 2017 and is being implemented on a phased basis. Phase 1A of the scheme is for the general Civil Service grades of Clerical Officer (CO) and Executive Officer (EO) to apply for mobility between and within 46 zones - excluding mobility within Zone 46 (Dublin) which will be included in Phase 1B. There has been a high level of interest in the scheme since its launch with over 3,500 staff members applying for mobility and making an average of 9 organisational choices.

The scheme can only be used to facilitate mobility to locations where Civil Service branches are situated. I understand that there are no Civil Service branches in the location referred to by the Deputy. The operation of the scheme is kept under review by officials in my Department.

Phase 1B for the general Civil Service grades of CO and EO for mobility within the zone of Dublin and Phase 2 for the general Civil Service grades of HEO and AP will launch at a later date. Further information on the Mobility scheme is available to view at

Following the full roll out of the Civil Service Mobility Scheme, it is the intention to review and potentially extend mobility over time to provide additional development opportunities and enable greater mobility across the Public Service.