The number of persons in terms of whole time equivalent who were employed in the civil service prior to the introduction of the moratorium on 27 March 2009 was 39,196. The number currently employed is 37,156 as at the end of March 2010.
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding the target number at which point the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service will end, the precise ceilings in each area are subject to any future Government policy decisions and priorities in regard to public service provision. The Government will keep the application of the moratorium on recruitment and promotion under review and the matter will be revisited in each sector as the staffing levels in the Employment Control Frameworks for the sectors are achieved.