In line with the Haddington Road Agreement and in accordance with Action Plan set out in the Government's new Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 - page 79, section 4.2.1(iii) - my Department is currently working to develop options for advancing the objective of grade restructuring as one of a number of actions to strengthen Human Resource Strategy and resourcing policies in the Civil Service. This work is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2014 and no grade amalgamations are planned to take place in advance of the completion of the current review.
Proposals for grade rationalisation and restructuring in other sectors of the Public Service (Health, Education, Local Authorities, Justice Group) are matters for management in the parent Departments concerned.