Vol. 464 No. 3
22 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the total number of people employed in each State enterprise under the aegis of his Department; the comparative figures for each of the years 1970, 1980 and 1990; the areas in which the Government is considering employment reduction; the likely number of people that will be encouraged to leave their work over the next 24 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7976/96]
The numbers employed year by year in each of the semi-State companies under the aegis of my Department can be ascertained from the published accounts and reports which are available in the Dáil Library.
There are no Government proposals for employment reduction in any of the State companies under the aegis of my Department. Decisions on reductions in staffing levels are a matter for the companies concerned.
The Government, however, expects the boards of all commercial State bodies to constantly review their cost base with a view to ensuring maximum efficiency and competitiveness. Employment levels are an integral part of a company's cost base and it is, in the first instance, a matter for boards to consider the need for rationalisation programmes within their organisations. In many State bodies such programmes are essential in order to successfully meet the challenges of competition and market liberalisation.
