Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

When the Minister said he was introducing the payroll cost reduction across the VEC and higher education sectors, why did he not say in the same breath that he was prepared to amalgamate or abolish some of the agencies under the aegis of his Department? I have already outlined three agencies in the area of special needs which could be amalgamated into one, thus reducing costs and providing more money for front-line staff. If the Minister takes up my challenge and joins me in that task, I will support him. What I will not support, however, is——

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