‘Seismic change’ needed in public sector attitudes

A “SEISMIC change in attitudes” is needed in the public sector if we are to overcome cuts in public services, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said yesterday.

She was addressing a conference in Limerick organised by Shannon Development and said the Government has been looking at public sector reform as one of the ways services can be delivered.

Ms Coughlan said: “From talking to a lot of people in the public sector on an individual basis, people are saying to me we will do one or two hours extra work without pay, for example, and is there something else we can do in order to get this country back on its feet, and that’s our preferred option. But if people are not prepared to do that at the end of the day the Government will have to make a decision.”

She said unless expenditure is cut to ensure as many services as possible are maintained a very serious situation faces the country.

The Tánaiste said: “Everyone will have to take a reduction in their standard of living. As we all know, many people in the private sector have done this in order to keep their jobs. A lot of people in the private sector have lost their jobs and it is part of my portfolio to try and get those people back to work again, and attract more jobs to this country and support entrepreneurship.

“Equally it is important to reiterate the role of the public service is a hugely important one. I am very sorry to see that a lot of people in the public service are being vilified. I think that is very unfair and has been very demoralising to a lot of people in the public service. If there were other options to reduce our pay expenditure in this country, our current spend, then the Government is more than willing to listen. But is going to take a seismic change in attitudes.

“The Taoiseach has been vociferous in looking at public sector reform as being one of the ways to deliver services.”