Jimmy Deenihan
Question:24 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to amalgamate the staff officer and executive officer grades in the public service.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Amalgamation of Civil Service Grades Proposal.
In my reply to Deputy Boland's question on 2 May 1989, recorded at column 835 of the Official Report for that day, I indicated that the financial costs of the amalgamation of the staff officer and executive officer grades in the Civil Service were such that I was not prepared to proceed with the amalgamation at that time. This position is still unchanged.
Is the Minister not aware that in the long term there would be a cost saving if both grades were amalgamated? Also, is he aware of the lack of promotion opportunities for staff officers throughout the country? If they are promoted, they have to come to Dublin, and results in a great upheaval for their families. If there is a case for saving money, surely it is worth considering this amalgamation again?
I am not aware that there would be a saving of money in the long term and none of the information available to me would suggest that. I would remind the Deputy that an annex appended to the new Programme for Economic and Social Progress provides for discussions in some of the areas the Deputy talks about. We will be only too glad to enter into those discussions with the object of improving the efficiency and the effectiveness of the public service and, of course, to try to reduce the overall cost to the taxpayer.
Question No. 25, please.