Written answers
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Non-Governmental Organisations
9:00 pm
Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will detail all cuts, mergers and abolishments that have been made to all non-governmental organisations since the Government came to power; the number and names of the non-governmental organisations in operation; his plans in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7802/12]
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Details relating to part one of the Deputy's question are set out in the following table.
| Department | Bodies Abolished or Merged |
| Education & Skills | The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) |
| Health | The National Social Workers Qualifications BoardThe National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery |
| Environment, Community & Local Government | Affordable Homes Partnership1Centre for Housing Research1Local Government Management Services Board2Local Government Computer Services Board2Comhar (Sustainable Development Council)Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration Agencies3 |
| Transport, Tourism and Sport | Dublin Regional Tourism Authority |
| Children and Youth Affairs | The Children Acts Advisory Board |
Notes:
1 The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency is operating on an administrative basis and will include the functions of the Affordable Homes Partnership and the Centre for Housing Research. The Agency will also include the National Building Agency which is in the process of being wound up.
2 The Local Government Management Agency includes the functions of these Boards and will be given legal effect in 2012.
3 Both Agencies are currently operating as a single administrative unit and will form part of an Office for Regeneration in conjunction with Limerick City Council
With regard to the second part of the question, I refer the Deputy to my answer to Deputy Mary Lou McDonald (PQ Ref No: 5539/12) on 31 January 2012, which sets out the different bodies currently in operation and the approach which my Department is taking in classifying the different types of organisation. Regarding my plans in this area, as the Deputy will know, the Public Service Reform Report, published in November 2011, outlined the programme of public service reforms and improvements which are designed to deliver the commitments made in the Programme for Government. The radical streamlining of state bodies is a key element in the programme of reforms and to this end, the Report listed 48 bodies which are due to be rationalised by end 2012 and a further 46 bodies which are to be critically reviewed by June 2012.
In addition, the Government has also decided to:
· introduce sunset clauses when new bodies are created which will ensure a new body will cease to exist after a predetermined date unless its mandate is specifically renewed;
· ensure Departments regularly review the continuing business case for all significant State bodies; and
· require that robust service level agreements are put in place as a matter of urgency by each Department with each of its State bodies.
These reforms, once implemented, will not only simplify the administrative landscape but will lead to a more transparent, accountable and efficient public service.
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