Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 7, inclusive, together. The programme for Government states, "We will reduce the size of the Department of the Taoiseach, transforming it into a Cabinet Office that oversees the delivery of a new Programme for Government". Arising from this commitment, sections and posts in the Department which had been engaged in work that now comes within the responsibility of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have transferred to that Department along with some support staff. The total number of staff that have transferred is 27.

A new EU co-ordination division in my Department was also established with personnel from my Department's existing European Union and international division and from the EU affairs division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which relocated to my Department. Under the new second Secretary General to my Department, the new division supports the Tánaiste in his responsibility for overall co-ordination of European policy, including his membership of the General Affairs Council and it also supports me in my membership of the European Council. In its co-ordination role, the division engages with all Departments on issues on the EU agenda.

A new office of the Tánaiste was also set up in my Department, comprising three special advisers and one personal assistant supported by 1.6 whole-time equivalent staff from my Department from within existing resources. The office is responsible for co-ordinating support for the Tánaiste in his whole-of-government responsibilities.

A new programme for Government office has been established in recent weeks, comprising of two staff from within existing resources. This office is currently in the process of developing a structure which will allow it to monitor programme implementation and to report to me and to the Cabinet on progress across all Departments. There are currently no plans to bring forward a new programme for Government.

See this speech in context