Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
46. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if there are plans locate more civil and public service jobs in Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40341/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic and civil service staffing for Departments and bodies under their aegis are agreed as part of the overall Budget process, which sets resource allocations for Government spending. In General, Offices and Departments have flexibility, through a process of delegated sanction, to manage staffing so as to deliver on identified business needs conditional on remaining within the pay ceilings that are agreed as part of the Budget and Estimates process.
The policy of delegated sanction allows Departments to fill vacancies through recruitment and/or promotion in specified, designated grades up to and including Principal Officer (PO) standard or their equivalent. Delegated sanction is subject to the overall pay bill ceiling as agreed as part of the annual Estimates and Budget process and as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV). Projected staffing numbers and composition must fall within the parameters of the Department’s pay bill. Failure to remain within a given Exchequer pay bill allocation may result in the withdrawal of delegated sanction.
Under the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956, as the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for range of functions in relation to the Civil Service including the classification, re-classification, numbers and remuneration of civil servants and the fixing of terms and conditions of service of civil servants. Furthermore, Section 58 of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 provides that the Minister is responsible for all matters relating to recruitment in the Civil Service. The recruitment and appointment of public service employees in other sectors are a matter for the relevant Minister.
The creation of posts within both the Civil Service and the wider public service is driven by identified service needs and priorities within this overall policy and resourcing framework. Any decisions to establish or locate posts are made by the relevant body on a case-by-case basis, taking account of business needs, service delivery requirements, and the efficient use of public resources.
