Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The 3% payroll savings will apply across all Departments. It is how we provided for savings in that area and they are departmental targets. I have also indicated that the offices of Ministers and Minister of State should seek to reduce costs by 10% this year, which is a political decision I made yesterday.

We must show every effort to reduce costs in all areas of activity, including the offices of Ministers and Ministers of State. If it is necessary to redeploy some people back into Departments to do departmental work, that should proceed. I have no problem with making sure these things are done in the appropriate way, commensurate to the workload. As a former incumbent, Deputy Kenny knows there is a need to have full time cover in ministerial offices, which sometimes affects the complement of staff in terms of making sure people are available beyond office hours, morning and night. It is one of the complications.

I have said I believe there is room for a 10% reduction in costs in the offices of Ministers and Ministers of State. It may involve redeployment of departmental staff back to Departments or units which are particularly busy at the moment or would be helped by an increase in the numbers employed. The flexibility is there for whatever is necessary and I would like to see it happening.

Regarding the question asked on advisers and their role and work, there are guidelines in place under the Acts for the number one can have. I understand two per Minister is the maximum number and that is complied with. In the overall context of a spend of €55 million on day-to-day expenditure and €8 billion on capital expenditure, the availability of independent advice other than normal Civil Service advice was a negotiating imperative of the Labour Party when it joined the Government in 1992. It was a good development and, in the main, has served us well. People can make comments one way or the other on individuals which is not helpful. As a concept it is good and one which has to be properly utilised in the correct way. It is a resource for any incumbent Minister which is helpful and broadens the scope, horizons and policy inputs beyond an internal departmental focus and it is right and proper that it should be that way.

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