Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

In accordance with the initiative announced by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance in his 2008 budget speech, my Department carried out an efficiency review earlier this year which encompassed the Department, its offices, agencies and associated bodies.

The efficiency review for my Department will be considered by the Government, along with similar exercises carried out by all other Departments. The overall objective of the exercise is to achieve efficiencies which will reduce the cost of the delivery of public services and achieve greater value for money. It would be premature to comment on the specifics of my Department's efficiency review in advance of a full consideration of the overall exercise by the Government.

The current efficiency review must also be seen in the context of ongoing efficiencies which have been initiated by my Department and its agencies over a long number of years. My Department and its agencies have a proven record of proactively seeking to achieve efficiencies and finding better ways to deliver services to clients. These actions have included, where appropriate, the rationalisation of agencies to eliminate duplication and provide a more strategic focus to service delivery. The establishment of Enterprise Ireland as a single dedicated agency to promote indigenous industry is a case in point. This merger brought together Forbairt, An Bord Tráchtála and the services to business function of FÁS.

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