Worries over lack of Commission staff

European commissioners have expressed concern about not having enough officials to be able to meet the institution’s policy priorities next year despite plans to ask for just under 900 new officials in 2008.

At least ten commissioners have been seeking assurances that they will get sufficient staff for their activities. Vice-president Margot Wallström wants to make sure there are enough staff in Commission representations in member states to carry out activities related to Plan D for democracy, which aims to promote public debates and communication with citizens. Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has stressed the need for officials to reflect the policy priorities of tackling climate change and energy security. Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik has pointed out that agencies must be properly staffed. Commissioners Neelie Kroes and Joaquín Almunia have also expressed concern about having sufficient quality staff for their departments.

Budget Commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite and Personnel Commissioner Siim Kallas responded that commissioners should redeploy staff to match policy priorities.

The Commission is planning to ask for 890 new posts next year. This breaks down into 640 as the last tranche of recruits from the ten member states who joined in 2004 and 250 extra officials to deal with the increased workload after Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU.

Around 290 staff are expected to be redeployed between directorates-general (DGs) and a further 280 redeployed within DGs.

In 2006 the Finnish presidency tried to cut 1,700 jobs at the Commission but failed to win the backing of other member states.

The commissioners outlined their requests as part of discussions on the Commission’s policy priorities for next year, which was agreed last week.

The main priorities are energy and climate change, the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs and migration.

European commissioners have expressed concern about not having enough officials to be able to meet the institution’s policy priorities next year despite plans to ask for just under 900 new officials in 2008.