Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Budget Statement for 2010 along with the Estimates for public services and public capital programme published on 9 December provides for a reduction of resources for my Department for 2010. In the case of Vote 28, the 2009 voted allocation was €207 million and the proposed allocation for 2010 is €178 million. In the case of Vote 29, which funds Ireland's development co-operation programme, the 2009 allocation was €570 million and the proposed allocation for 2010 is €535 million. Taken together there is a reduction of just under €70 million or 9% in the funding proposed for 2010.

The Government's decision to stabilise the ODA budget for 2010 is a significant achievement against a background of very difficult economic circumstances and enormous budgetary pressures. However, since there is a separate priority question on the ODA budget, I will focus on the impact of the budget on other areas of departmental spending.

The emigrant support programme to support Irish emigrants overseas and to facilitate extensive Irish-related cultural, business and community projects, will continue next year with a total allocation of just under €13 million, a reduction of €2.2 million, which is sustainable. I am determined to ensure that the key focus of the programme remains on assisting our most vulnerable Irish emigrants.

Expenditure will be further reduced by the winding-up of the programme of support for the transition of EU applicant countries and the member states that joined the European Union in 2004 and 2007. This programme has been very useful in assisting these countries in transition and in developing good relations with countries where we have not had a long-term presence.

Savings will also accrue given that support for the Referendum Commission will not be required in 2010 and some reductions will emerge in our contributions to international organisations. Many of these contributions are denominated in dollars and during 2009 savings have already been made on foot of exchange rate gains.

Administrative costs of my Department are expected to decline in the coming year by almost 8%. There are now some 50 fewer people working in my Department compared with a year ago. In addition, an energetic procurement policy coupled with reductions in some input costs has meant that my Department continues to achieve better value for money and expects to spend significantly less on travel and on other support services next year.

See this speech in context