Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which recruitment throughout the public sector continues in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17444/20]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware from previous replies, 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 would be a targeted programme of recruitment into the Civil Service to address service needs and a shortfall in key skills. 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 15,880 civil servants from open competitions excluding temporary assignments and professional and technical posts, have been assigned to Government departments and offices across general service grades. This figure would, of course be offset by retirements and other people leaving the Civil Service.

An open CO competition was advertised recently and an open AP competition was also advertised recently. An open competition for posts at EO level countrywide will be advertised shortly.

Apart from competitions already advertised, it is too early to say at this stage what competitions will be held for all of 2020. 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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240. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which accommodation has been or can be reached in respect of returning public servants that have expressed a wish to remain in employment for some time after their anticipated retirement age while adhering to Government policy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17445/20]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 was enacted on 26 December 2018. This Act introduced a new compulsory retirement age of 70 for the majority of public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004.

The public servants covered by the Act are termed “relevant public servants” as defined in Section 2 of the Act. Under the Act, any relevant public servant who had not already reached their compulsory retirement age of 65 before that date has a new compulsory retirement age of 70. Prior to 26 December 2018, most of these public servants had a compulsory retirement age of 65.

The definition of relevant public servant includes the vast majority of pre-1 April 2004 public servants. The only significant exception is the “uniformed fast accrual” group, which comprises certain groups of employees in the public service who are required to retire early for operational reasons. This includes An Garda Síochána, members of the Permanent Defence Force, Firefighters and Prison Officers.

Public servants who wish to clarify issues regarding their retirement are advised to contact their employer's HR office who are best placed to assist them.