Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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64. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures put in place to ensure value for money as a result of the expansion of civil and public service numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40067/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Securing value for money is an ongoing priority for this Government. Delivering value for money is about securing the efficient and effective use of public resources in the pursuit of better public services, living standards and infrastructure for the people of Ireland. Ensuring value for money is the responsibility of everyone involved in overseeing the use of public funds and a comprehensive suite of legislation and guidance supports the delivery of value for money. There are key roles and responsibilities clearly defined and underpinned by legislation, including that of the Accounting Officer. These roles and responsibilities are supported by a set of rules, guidelines and frameworks to support delivery of value for money.

Public service staffing levels are largely managed through a policy of delegated sanction. This was introduced in 2015 in order to provide Offices and Departments with flexibility to manage identified business needs subject to remaining within overall pay ceilings, which are agreed as part of the budget and Estimates process. Public service employee numbers increased by an average of 3.8% a year in the five years to 2024. Growth in the Health and Education Sectors accounts for over three-quarters of this increase in public service employee numbers.

Delegated sanction allows Departments to fill vacancies through recruitment and/or promotion in specified, designated grades up to and including Principal Officer (PO) standard or their equivalent. The policy was revised in October 2024 to extend to previously sanctioned posts at grades at Principal Officer higher level, and equivalent grades, and Assistant Secretary level, subject to there being no change to the job specification and/or the terms and conditions attaching to the vacant post being filled. New posts at these levels and changes to the job specification and/or terms and conditions of previously sanctioned posts, continue to require the prior, explicit consent of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Delegated sanction is subject to the overall pay bill ceiling as agreed as part of the annual Estimates and Budget process and as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV). Projected staffing numbers and composition should fall within the parameters of the Department’s pay bill. Failure to remain within a given Exchequer pay bill allocation may result in the withdrawal of delegated sanction.