Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Sep 1996

Vol. 469 No. 1

Written Answers. - Public Service Staff.

Peadar Clohessy

Ceist:

62 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed in the public service in each of the years from 1990 to 1995; the public service wage bill for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on the size of the public service. [16776/96]

Mary Harney

Ceist:

69 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons employed in the public service in each of the years from 1990 to 1995; the public service wage bill for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on the size of the public service. [16775/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 69 together. Information relating to public service employment and to the Exchequer pay and pensions bill in the period from 1990 to 1995 is set out in tabular form and I propose to circulate it in the Official Report. The following is the information requested:

Year	Public Service Employment	Exchequer Pay and Pensions Bill
		£m
1990	196,540	3,160
1991	199,852	3,382
1992	202,315	3,750
1993	205,709	4,087
1994	208,601	4,356
1995	212,305	4,567

The Exchequer pay and pensions bill does not cover the local authorities. Local authority employees are however included in the public service employment numbers. Decisions about public service numbers are based on the Government's assessment of staffing needs to ensure the most efficient delivery of programmes and services. I can assure the Deputy that the Government examines public service recruitment very carefully to decide the appropriate levels for the delivery of those services.