Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I am happy to agree with the Deputy regarding MABS and what it achieves. We are both of one mind on that and any of the people who interact with MABS will hold the same view. I intend to put MABS on a statutory footing. I am currently conducting an efficiency review of a large number of organisations. There is a lot of overlapping and complementarity between a large number of organisations. In some respects, the remit of organisations that were established some time ago has been surpassed by a changing Ireland. MABS is very much a part of the future. I have no doubts about the service MABS delivers and its importance. It will remain a significant and important service for the foreseeable future.

Due to the efficiency review and the examination of the structures in place, I decided to hold fire on the direction I will take with MABS. However, I assure the Deputy that it will be put on a statutory basis. I am trying to work out, through examining various structures, the best structure for MABS. I do not necessarily want another organisation created. As the Deputy knows, the number of organisations has mushroomed. I want to be sure that we are getting the best value for taxpayers' money and that the best efficiencies and delivery mechanisms are in place. That is why I have stood back from specifically racing forward with setting up another statutory body, to add to all the other statutory bodies in existence. I want to examine the remit of them all to determine what exactly we should have for now and the future.

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