Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2018
20. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made with the Public Service Pay Commission regarding recruitment and retention issues in particular areas of the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21669/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018-2020, includes a commitment to examine the issue of recruitment and retention in the public service.
The Public Service Pay Commission addressed the issue of recruitment and retention across the public service in their initial report published in May 2017. While high level evidence collected by the Commission in their first report indicated that there are no significant recruitment difficulties across the main public service vocational streams, it found evidence of some recruitment and retention issues in certain specific areas . These include certain areas of the Health sector and the Defence Forces, as well as senior executive and professional posts in the civil service.
The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 included a commitment to request the Public Service Pay Commission to undertake a more comprehensive examination of recruitment and retention issues in those sectors and employment streams where difficulties are evident.
In accordance with this provision, the Commission commenced its examination late last year and is expected to complete its task by end 2018. The Commission is adopting a modular approach to its work with the first module, currently being progressed, comprising an examination of the health sector grades of nurses, consultants and doctors. This will provide the evidence base as to the nature and extent of any recruitment and retention issues and the causal factors contributing to them.
The Commission have been asked to present a range of options for resolving any specific issues identified having full regard to the fiscal constraints and requirements on Government to manage the Exchequer pay bill in a sustainable way over the medium and long-term.
