Addressing members at the annual conference of the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants in Dublin today, AHCPS General Secretary, Dave Thomas, warned of an impending crisis in civil service staffing levels due to a double whammy of retirements and recruitment restrictions.
Mr Thomas said that while the Croke Park Agreement is continuing to deliver reforms and modernisation throughout the civil and public service, there needs to be a more targeted approach to fill critical vacancies. Failure to do so, he warned, would create serious problems and mean that soon there will not be sufficient numbers to perform necessary jobs.
Mr Thomas cited the example of reductions in staffing levels in the office of the Revenue Commissioners which compromised the ability of staff to collect taxes that will generate revenue for the State.
Mr Thomas commented, “Within the civil service there are considerable problems where certain posts are left unfilled. This situation is set to get worse over the next five-ten years. The average age of a civil servant is 45, and 70% of civil servants are over 40 years of age. Within the next five-ten years 50% of those currently serving will have retired.
“The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is acutely aware of the looming problems and has embarked on a recruitment process for specialised grades at administrative officer level. While we welcome this, the AHCPS believes that the current manpower planning review has to provoke a greater response from Government.
“They must recognise that it is in their interests to ensure that key roles such as those at senior management levels in the Revenue Commissioners are filled rather than left vacant. Failure to do so we will ultimately mean a cost to the Exchequer rather than a saving.
“While the Croke Park Agreement continues to be the best means of achieving reforms while maintaining positive industrial relations, this aspect does require attention. In reviewing and perhaps extending the Agreement beyond its current timeframe, the Government should examine how best to address this matter in co-operation with public service unions.”
ENDS