Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton and Minister of State with responsibility for research and innovation, Deputy Sean Sherlock to today's meeting. I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, is unable to join us today as he is in Brussels. I also welcome all of the departmental officials and thank them for their briefings over the past couple of days and last weekend. A great deal of work has gone into ensuring we ask the awkward questions and hold the Minister and Ministers of State accountable.

Members will be aware that the Revised Estimates for 2013 were presented to the Dáil in the new programme based format. This means that the Estimate as presented contains the following information for each programme: how it is proposed to spend the money allocated to each programme and the previous year's outturn in each case; the number of staff assigned to work on the programme and how this compares with the previous year; performance related information; departmental outputs, including corresponding information on the previous year, including what are termed performance and impact indicators for the previous year; and administrative expenditure for the Vote as a whole summarised in more detail than previously. The Revised Estimate gives us an opportunity to review whether targets set and the distribution of moneys across the Vote are appropriate in all circumstances and demonstrate the best use of resources. It also gives us an opportunity to explore issues facing the Minister in terms of the 2014 allocation for his Department.

An agreed timetable was circulated prior to the meeting. It allows for a brief opening statement by the Minister followed by a discussion on the 2013 Revised Estimate, with questions on each programme listed in the Estimate. Is the timetable agreed? Agreed. I now invite the Minister, Deputy Bruton, to make his opening statement.