Michael Creed
Ceist:271 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Finance the Government's views on further recruitment to the Civil and Public Service. [18951/97]
Written Answers. - Civil and Public Service Recruitment.
In June 1996, the Government set core staffing targets for civil servants in each Department, which were to be achieved by 1 July 1997. Some of these targets were subsequently modified by the Government to make allowance for additional work or transfer of work from one Department to another.
This Government has been continuing the same approach. On 1 July 1997, the number of civil servants was 28,955, well within the target of 29,458.
When making Civil Service appointments, Departments and offices are required to maintain overall numbers employed within these targets, except in circumstances where the Government may decide to modify them for compelling social or economic reasons, such as the extra staffing required for new prisons.
In relation to the wider public service, it is Government policy to contain public service numbers. Under this policy, the Government will agree to increases only where there is a compelling social or economic case for doing so. The Government aims to reduce numbers where this is feasible.