Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2014
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Public Sector Staff Data
73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which staff numbers have been reduced throughout the public service in each of the past five years to date; the savings accrued therefrom on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17201/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the detailed information on public service staff numbers and expenditure available on my Department's website, at http://databank.per.gov.ie. The databank gives details of public service staff numbers by Sector and by Vote Group, and it also provides corresponding details of expenditure, both pay and non-pay, for the years to which the Deputy refers.
It will show that from 2008 to 2013, public service staff numbers reduced by just over 10%, from a peak of around 320,000 in 2008 to just under 288,000 at the end of 2013. It will also show that the public service Exchequer pay bill was reduced from a peak of €17.5 billion in 2009 to €14.1 billion (net of the Pension Related Deduction) at the end of 2013. This paybill reduction has made a significant contribution to the overall fiscal consolidation effort, and it has been achieved through a managed reduction in public service staff numbers, reductions in public service pay rates and the introduction of the pension related deduction, which is applied to public servant's gross pay.
