We are undergoing a deep economic crisis which has meant that the government approved on 29 January the Stability and Growth Programme, which includes a fiscal consolidation program with two axes which the Central Government: the Immediate Action Plan 2010 and the austerity plan 2011-2013.
As we all know these programs, which aim to correct the deficit and seek to balance public accounts, will mean a significant cut in budgeted expenditure for this year, in addition, structural adjustment to be made by the General State Administration stands at 5.2% of GDP until the end of 2013. To reach this objective, the Government will work primarily with instruments as: a job very small groups (now 10%), wage restraint, reduction of public sector enterprise or the rationalization of the high charges, among others.
In principle it would seem that we are in a situation that could prevent, or at least hinder, the deployment of the projects in this area (development of the agreements reached with the social or the law of the Civil Service etc.).. However, this does not happen.
The economic crisis, many have said, can also be an opportunity. Besets When the need, as now, it's time to prioritize one of the principles governing the functioning and organization of the General State Administration, the efficient allocation and use of public resources. If the objective pursued the measures taken is to reduce the deficit, the principle that should govern their application (ie what program budgets are cut, how vacancies on offer, which bodies are removed or merged with others) is that of efficiency. And more efficient management is also better management.
addition, there are reasons to be optimistic, to believe that the implementation of this policy of austerity, which so fully respect the Administration, will not lead to any detriment the operation of government or public services citizens receive. Not and should not be a detriment. Because it is precisely in the difficult times, when more is demanded from the public sector and only a strong institutional framework can be up to the demands.
We are in a good situation. The Socialist government has set the stage for it. During these past years, and through the deployment and development of the law of electronic access to public services, has achieved a genuine and thorough modernization of the functioning of government. Is not the time to explain what has made this law, and discussing the last legislature. Suffice it to say that currently is accessible to 96.4% of the procedures of the Government through electronic means. Also in January the Council of Ministers adopted two royal decrees that, although highly technical have a big impact: the regulation of National Insurance Scheme and the regulation of the National Scheme for interoperability. These decrees will allow, in a safe, offering citizens a unified service for conducting administrative procedures no matter what the competent authority.
also has helped, and will further promote the improved functioning of government approval and implementation of the Law "Omnibus." This law requires that procedures be simplified, to avoid unnecessary delays, reduce the administrative burden on all providers of services and sets the figure of the single. Provides, in short, the principle of minimum intervention necessarily based on the principle of proportionality "of the administration in the service sector.
I want with it to show that we have a flexible administration that is running quickly, which responds promptly to the public.
So I think we're in a good situation out, a situation that will allow our Administration can take without difficulty austerity measures adopted:
1 .- The reduced supply of Public Employment to the limit of 10% restocking fee. (Recall that the PP in times of economic prosperity had always set the replacement rate below 25%)
any limitation of public job always involves sacrifice, but if your development is determined by the principle of efficiency, if the job selection is done with good criteria and is also having driven reforms, draft as has been done by this government will not impede the smooth functioning of government or public services .
Thus, there are areas of government where too many officials, others in need. It therefore seems that in this context takes on its full sense, the work already undertaken by the Government for the elaboration of the Human Resource Management. In this framework, a public job, as limited as this year, it is perfectly acceptable.
2 .- A plan to rationalize the structures of the Central Government and public sector business plan that will involve the abolition, consolidation or restructuring of the bodies as necessary.
We fully support these measures. We believe that constitute the way to a leaner administration, efficient and stronger at a time.
PP want to take advantage of the situation in order to privatize and weaken the public sector. We streamlined the workflow, means and resources to achieve greater efficiency and modernity of the public sector.
This is the way and not demagogic proposals we have discussed in Congress, over these past months: reducing the number of senior officials of the Central Government or the reduction of ministries.
These proposals would not solve anything. A reduction of 25% of senior managers, as proposed, or is proposing does not lead anywhere. It was and is an effective approach, not based on a true diagnosis administration, a proposal that does not determine what charges should be abolished, why would you delete a proposal that distorts (manipulate) data and, above all, a proposal that ignores the great efforts already austerity implemented-arrangement of non-availability of budget or freezing of salaries of senior positions for two consecutive years, to give some examples. In short, a proposal that iron shot.
I am concerned because these debates and such simplistic solutions offered citizenship may cause a deterioration of confidence in the political classes in the institutions. They can foster a climate leading us to an institutional crisis. Also in times of economic crisis, times when it is so easy populism arises I think our job as MPs is not exactly encourage confidence in the institutions, the Central Government. Quite the contrary.
I understand the temptation when in the opposition to think that these criticisms hurt the ruling party, but I assure you it is not. Do not trespass certain limits seems important to me and eventually, I assure you that benefit society.
A genuine policy of austerity does not mean trying to impose by the Congress of Deputies on the Government's disposal of this or that vice, in this or that ministry or you may have deleted a quarter of senior management. No. That's gestures to the gallery, dangerous gesture, we all know well that do not solve the underlying problems.
We know and they know that the Popular Party in the Assembly of Madrid, where he presented an identical proposal, with the sole purpose of placing them in front of the mirror, recognize its contradictions, to stop these steps demagogic-rejected . And yet there are indications that the administration of the Community of Madrid, although it has recently reduced the number of ministries, but the number of senior officials, managerial positions has doubled. Staff costs have increased exponentially. It is a good example of how the policies of austerity in personnel are not directly related to the number of ministries / departments.
are the measures announced by the Vice President and to which I referred to earlier which are a real austerity program to the General State Administration.
Also, as we believe in this great effort to clean up public finances have to be involved all levels of government, we support the Government's proposal to submit to the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy Framework Agreement with Autonomous Regions and the Autonomous Cities sustainability of public finances including a plan to streamline administrative structures and a commitment to human resource rationalization. I hope that the Autonomous Communities and local bodies to study it, improve it and we can assume it together. Needless to say I always do so while fully respecting the powers of self-organization of each. Ultimately with these plans are not about eliminating functions or public services not: quite the opposite. It is to seek efficiency at all costs.
If we are able to work in the same direction all the parliamentary groups assured that the results to reach the Government will also be better.
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