CHIEF Minister Tony Brown MHK has revealed 384 public sector posts have gone in the past two years.
He told the House of Keys this morning: "I can advise the House that in relation to public sector employees, subject to final confirmation, some 285 posts have either been abolished, or not refilled since April 1 2010, this being in addition to the decrease of 99 posts during 2009/2010, making a total reduction of 384 public sector posts in two years."
He was asked questions on employment issues by Rushen MHK Juan Watterson and Onchan MHK Peter Karran.
Mr Brown added: "In relation to teachers I can confirm that 25 positions were abolished, no positions were recruited internally, 39 positions were recruited externally, with two new positions being created.
"Fifteen of the 25 positions abolished were limited term and natural discharge contracts which had come to an end.
"With reference to nursing posts I can confirm that since April 1 2010, no nursing positions have been abolished, 38 positions have been recruited internally, 31 positions have been recruited externally and no new positions created."
He said "contrary to what is being stated by some the civil service is not growing at the expense of the wider public service".
"The number of civil service positions shown as created since April 1 2010 totalled 30.
"Of those 30 positions 19 of them represent existing positions transferred into the civil service from separate employing authorities.
"This includes 16 positions in respect of the Companies Registry and individual posts in the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Health and Home Affairs.
"Nine of the posts were limited term appointments, of which seven were for the unified pension scheme project team - some of which remain to be filled - one to support the minister and chief executive in the Department of Social Care and one to provide administrative support, on a short term basis for the Commonwealth Youth Games which are to be held on the Island in September of this year."
In response to a question by Mr Karran he said: "It is not correct to assume, as implied by the honourable member, that civil service positions are being given priority over nurses and teachers, as this is clearly not the case.
"I can confirm that it is not government policy to reduce employment opportunities in the nursing and teaching professions, or for that matter in any other areas of public sector employment, in favour of creating permanent positions in the civil service."
