Staff numbers in the public service have grown considerably over the last number of years. Between 2015 and 2021, the estimated numbers in full-time equivalent terms increased from about 302,000 to 366,000, an increase of 64,000 or over one-fifth.
In terms of public service staff numbers across the wider public service, forecast numbers in 2023 are almost 393,000 in full time equivalent (FTE) terms. This is the highest level ever of employment in the public service, representing an increase of over 16,500 FTE on the final reported figures for 2022 of over 376,000 FTE. These are the most recent figures available. This data was notified to my Department by the relevant organisations.
Delegated sanction is the policy in place across the majority of the public service for the management of public service staffing levels since 2015. It was introduced by Government to provide Offices and Departments with flexibility to manage identified business needs subject to remaining within overall pay ceilings. Delegated sanction permits Departments to fill vacancies through recruitment and/or promotion in specified, designated grades up to and including Principal Officer (PO) standard or equivalent, subject to the overall pay bill ceiling as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV). Projected staffing numbers and composition should fall within the parameters of the Department’s pay bill. Failure to remain within a given Exchequer pay bill allocation may result in the withdrawal of delegated sanction.