Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2011
118 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which it is anticipated that staff reductions throughout the public sector will yield the economies anticipated without substantially affecting the performance of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35405/11]
View answerAs outlined today in the announcement of the Public Sector Reform Programme, the Government is committed to delivering better value in the public sector in order to reduce the deficit and protect front-line services.
Numbers reduction will be a driver for public service wide reform. This includes reforms to the manner in which front-line and back office services are delivered across the public service. Staffing resources will be refocused on delivering priority services and programmes as set out in the Programme for Government and non-priority programmes and services will be rationalised, outsourced or indeed eliminated. There is scope for re-deploying resources which managers must seek to use.
Over the last number of years, enhanced numbers monitoring systems and multi-annual employment frameworks have been put in place. These arrangements will be strengthened to ensure that effect is given to Government decisions on public service numbers and will aid public bodies in adjusting to future staffing levels without sacrificing services. It is part of the day to day function of the Boards and Management of all public bodies to assess, budget and plan for current and ongoing staffing requirements within necessarily reduced resources.
In order to protect crucial services exceptions to the Moratorium may be granted for cases in the following limited circumstances:
a) statutory posts which have to be filled for legal reasons;
b) where failure to fill posts would result in a breach of EU/international regulations and impact upon exports etc.;
c) safety related posts — failure to fill them could leave the state open to potential legal liabilities or for security reasons;
d) specialist/technical posts to ensure continuity of operations e.g. legal officers; laboratory staff, maritime safety, etc.;
e) to ensure continuity of front-line services.
In addition, in the case of the Health Sector a number of grades are exempted from the Moratorium in order to ensure that these vital services are maintained.
