The Government introduced a moratorium on Recruitment and Promotions in the Public Service with effect from the 27^th March 2009.

There is a general moratorium on recruitment, promotion and acting appointments to all management and administrative grades and all other grades in the health sector with the exception of the following specified grades; Medical Consultants, Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Behavioural Therapists, Counsellors (Mental Health and Disability Services), Social Workers, and Emergency Medical Technicians.  It is Government policy, in the case of Medical Consultants, to move to a consultant delivered service, and in the case of the other grades to increase their numbers in order to meet the requirements of integrated care delivery and address community and primary care needs particularly in respect of children at risk, the elderly and those with disabilities

The Minister for Finance has the authority to allow for the filling of some vacancies in very exceptional circumstances.