Civil Service grade reduction
The Minister said grade structures are under review, with some amalgamations already made and further discussions underway with staff interests. He described rationalisation as a gradual process involving more than 700 grades, with the aim of reducing costs.
asked the Minister for the Public Service if he has any proposals to reduce the number of grades within the Civil Service in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
Civil Service grade structures are under review with a view to identifying possibilities of reducing the number of grades without increasing costs. Tá laghdú áirithe déanta cheanna féin. Further proposals are the subject of discussion with staff interests under the conciliation and arbitration arrangements for the Civil Service.
Comment on this
Two years ago this reply was given as well. Since then we have seen the long-awaited report on Civil Service reform which is now about 14 months old. Is the Minister saying there has been no progress whatsoever in the past 14 months?
Comment on this
Last year my colleague, Deputy Boland, produced a White Paper setting out Government policy, setting out what he hoped to achieve. It was indicated in the White Paper that this could be a slow operation. The then Minister also made it clear that any major rationalisation of the grade structure could result in higher costs but that the objective was to reduce costs. Another aspect to be taken into consideration is the fact that in any such discussions staff interests have to be taken into account. There will have to be full discussions with the staff. The Deputy will know enough about the situation to accept that such discussions can be quite long and tedious but there is no question of rushing like a bull at a gate.
Comment on this
Yes. As opportunities have arisen for amalgamating grades they have been acted on. I have some examples from the Department of Labour, the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture. There are also various structures, professional and technical structures and the general service departmental structures under review to determine what might be possible. There are also a number of discussions going on with staff interests. It is not appropriate that I go into those in detail. We have set down the policy and we are talking about over 700 grades.
