Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I indicated in a previous reply to a supplementary questions from Deputy Burton that the Department of Finance is the Department of the public service and when I was Minister for Finance I undertook a process of co-ordination to ensure best practice in this area across all Departments, agencies and offices. In my detailed reply to a previous supplementary I indicated that that process was extensive, comprehensive and is now complete. That answers that question.

The other question about what progress has been made to date on employment agencies and commitments in Towards 2016 would be best tabled for a specific answer to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

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