On foot of the Government's decision in 2002 to reduce public service numbers by 5,000, FÁS is required to reduce its staffing complement of nearly 2,400 by 150. This is to be achieved through the non-filling of vacancies. FÁS has flexibility to decide where the reductions should be made and to prioritise resources to take account of the demands placed on the organisation.
Similar reductions are required of all Departments and non-commercial State agencies. All the organisations including FÁS are expected to ensure that these reductions do not impact on the service provided through improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery as required under the modernisation programme in Sustaining Progress.