Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2014
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of persons who have left the public sector by way of normal retirement, early retirement or otherwise in the course of the past five years; the extent to which services continue to remain intact in the aftermath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3166/14]
View answerSince 2008, the size of the public service has been reduced in net terms by about 31,500 (or c. 10%) to its present size of about 289,000. Detailed statistics are available at http://databank.per.gov.ie.
In the course of this downsizing, we have ensured the prioritisation of key posts and services and have allowed recruitment and the filling of priority vacancies across key areas of the public service including, notably, in the Education and Health sectors.
Given Ireland's fiscal position it was imperative that the public service reduced and controlled its costs, which necessarily involved maintaining a tight control on staffing and pay levels. The continued increase in demand for services across the system makes further downsizing challenging, but the newly agreed work practices, shared services and other reform initiatives, recently announced in the new Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 makes it possible.
The Haddington Road Agreement also provides for a significant increase in productivity, though the provision of almost 15 million additional working hours annually across of sector of the public service. These reforms are a key element of our response to the economic situation and the need to continue to deliver important services, in the face of increased demands and reduced numbers and budgets.
