Vol. 573 No. 1
233 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the number of public service cuts proposed for his Department in 2004; the areas in which such proposed cuts will be effected; if they are likely to be at lower or higher levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24512/03]
My Department has been requested to reduce its number of employees by 15 over the period to 31 December 2005, in support of Government policy of reducing public service numbers by 5,000. In addition, it is proposed to effect a reduction of six in the numbers employed in non-commercial State-sponsored bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. My officials are actively considering how these reductions might best be achieved. As yet, no final decision has been reached in regard to the areas or levels at which the reductions will be effected. Every effort will be made to ensure that reductions in employee numbers do not have a negative impact on the delivery of services to the public.
