I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 301 together.
The Government is committed to creating a leaner more efficient Public Service. To this end, the identification of staff surpluses is underway across the public service (including the health service). Where surplus staff cannot be redeployed, exit mechanisms (including voluntary redundancy) will be employed. Final decisions on numbers reductions to be achieved in each sector will take account of the surpluses identified by Ministers in respect of their portfolios and of expected rates of retirements in those sectors, Departments and Offices over the next few years. For more a comprehensive reply on an individual Department/Office or sector enquires should in the first instant be directed to the appropriate Minister.