MORE THAN 4,000 public servants are expected to retire in the first two months of this year, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has said.

There were 2,000 from the education sector, 1,500 of whom were teachers, he said.

In the Civil Service, the number was about 794; local authorities, 730; the Defence Forces, 192 and Garda, 297.

“In some instances, staff will withdraw their application to retire owing to personal circumstances,” said Mr Howlin.

He said he had repeatedly asked for three months’ notice from those retiring so that advance plans could be made.

“Most public servants do not want to worsen the situation as they leave, and the vast majority of people with the intention of leaving have already given notice,” he added.

Mr Howlin said that between last September and the end of next month, about 3,500 people were expected to leave the health services. “I have indicated that I will be flexible in seeking to ensure that frontline services are protected,” he said.

Mr Howlin said he had already indicated that although retirements might reach 9,000 in a full year, up to 3,000 people could be recruited into the public service.

The Government, he said, wanted to do that in a focused way that met the criteria set and he would be happy to discuss the matter with the Oireachtas finance committee. “We have strategic planning groups in each sector to ensure that frontline services are protected as far as possible,” said Mr Howlin.

The Government’s ambition, he added, was to effect a reduction of an additional 27,500 public servants in the coming years.

By 2015, that quantum would, together with the levy, accrue a saving of €3.5 billion.

The Minister was replying to Fianna Fáil spokesman on public expenditure Seán Fleming who said thousands of people would leave frontline services.

Sinn Féin spokeswoman on public expenditure Mary Lou McDonald said the reduction in the head count was the Minister’s main achievement.

It was a disorganised and potentially damaging approach towards reducing the gross pay bill.

The head count reduction, Mr Howlin said, was a strategic part of the Government’s plan to reduce numbers, given that it constituted a permanent reduction in pay.

“Reducing in quantum terms the total number working in the public service is a permanent reduction,” he added. “It is necessary, as we will borrow €1.5 billion per month during 2012 to pay for these services.” The Government’s strategy, he said, was “comprehensive, ground-breaking and different”, and he expected it to bear fruit in the coming years.

Mr Fleming said he understood that the majority of the staff to be recruited would be teachers filling the vacancies arising in schools throughout the State. He sought a commitment from the Minister that problems created in frontline services due to the reduced number of nurses would be met by additional recruitment.

“It would set people’s minds somewhat at ease,” said Mr Fleming.

Ms McDonald said she would echo Mr Fleming’s call that the Minister keep an eye squarely on the frontline.

Mr Howlin said Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn had announced that teachers involved with examination classes, and retiring between the end of last year and next month, could continue on the payroll up to the conclusion of the examinations.