THE PROVISION of jobs for life to public servants is likely to be examined by a review group established by the Government yesterday as part of its planned reforms of the public service.
Announcing the reforms, Taoiseach Brian Cowen emphasised that the Government would not pay staff additional money for the work-practice changes involved.
Under the plan, State employees not required in their existing jobs could be transferred throughout the system, while poorly-performing staff would be easier to dismiss.
After redeployment options are utilised it is likely that a significant number of staff may be offered a voluntary redundancy programme.
The plan is to be spearheaded by a special group, chaired by economist Colm McCarthy, which is to report within six months and meet for the first time next Friday. Large numbers of public services are to be made available to the public on the internet, modelled on the successful online motor tax system.
Purchasing by the State will be carried out by a central office, which will seek major discounts, while back-room facilities in State organisations will be centralised. Next year, Mr Cowen said Ministers have been told to cut their €20 billion departmental and agencies' payroll bill by 4 per cent, which equates to 10,000 jobs.
"That is a start. That is a beginning. That is an efficiency audit in itself," said the Taoiseach, following the launch of the plan in Dublin Castle.
A special Cabinet sub-committee chaired by the Taoiseach is to be formed to oversee reform.
Speaking after the launch of the reform package, Mr Cowen said: "I don't think that it is necessary to suggest that you can only get change on the basis that you have to pay for it."
State employees have "well-paid employment, with good pensions and a greater degree of security of employment than exists in the private sector presently and for the foreseeable future", he added.
Senior union figures last night indicated that extra pay would be unlikely to be demanded in early contacts with Ministers over coming months.
However, they are nervous at indications that the McCarthy group may consider security of tenure or jobs-for-life for new entrants.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan made it clear that the reforms would make it easier to fire poorly-performing State workers. "You have to have a proper procedure to assess performance so as to ensure that those who are not matching up are dealt with," he said.
Rejecting accusations that the Government has been slow to drive through reforms, the Taoiseach pointed to examples, notably the Revenue Commissioners.