A modified Employment Control Framework (ECF) for the Department of Health is due to be drawn up due to the changes that have occurred in the Department over the last number of months.
In its most recent progress report on the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, the Department states that there has been significant change since the last progress report was issued in March with the establishment of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the assimilation of some staff of the old Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs into various departments, including the Department of Health.
A modified ECF target to reflect these moves has yet to be agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The report states that the Department’s end-year position will only become clear when a revised ECF figure is completed and it has clarity around the number of retirements that will take place by the end of February 2012.
“We remain committed to utilising all available mechanisms, including redeployment, to address any surplus over our ECF that may arise,” according to the report. The original ECF target sought to reduce staff numbers in the Department to 437 by the end of 2011, 421 by the end of 2012, 406 by the end of 2013, and 390 by the end of 2014.
In March 2011, there were 433.56 whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff employed at the Department, which was a reduction of 13 WTEs compared to March 2010.
