Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Public service staffing is largely managed through a policy of delegated sanction, which has been in place since 2015. Under this delegated sanction framework, Departments are permitted to fill vacancies through recruitment and/or promotion where they hold a recruitment license, in grades up to and including Principal Officer Standard or equivalent, subject to remaining within the overall pay bill ceiling. This paybill ceiling forms part of the annual budget agreement. Budget 2024 included provision for a range of additional public service staff, including for example:

• Up to 2,000 additional staff to enhance capacity across acute and social care services;
• Over 1,216 SNAs and 744 Special Education Teachers;
• 1,000 new Garda and 250 Garda Staff; and
• 400 additional military personnel.

Under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, the responsibility for recruitment in each sector of the Public Service is a matter for the relevant Minister. The Act also provides that, as Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for matters relating to recruitment in the Civil Service.

I am informed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), which is the centralised provider of recruitment and selection services in the civil and public service, that in 2024 they are planning recruitment campaigns for all general service grades in the civil service, from Temporary Clerical Officers to Principal Officers, First and Third Secretary in Foreign Affairs, Clerical and Executive officers with Irish, with other specialist and professional grade competitions and senior and executive recruitment planned throughout the year for specialisms such as ICT, HR, etc.

The number of vacancies filled from the above campaigns will be determined by demand from clients and the volume of requests received.