John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

There are some 20 agencies under my remit, and as part of the rationalisation programme for State agencies I have an active consolidation programme in train that will reduce this number by six.

In June 2009, I established the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency to amalgamate the national agencies that currently support our social and affordable housing programmes. These are the National Building Agency, the Affordable Homes Partnership and the Centre for Housing Research. The new agency was established on an administrative basis in May 2010 and when it is legislatively established next year, the existing three agencies will be wound up. Pending legislation, the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board are working very closely together on an administrative basis as the local government management agency.

The administrative functions of the Rent Tribunalwere transferred to the Private Residential Tenancies Board with effect from 1 October 2009. The functions of the Fire Services Councilare being undertaken by my Department since the term of office of its members expired on 30 June 2009 and it is not intended to reappoint a council. The Limerick NorthsideandSouthside Regeneration Agencies are already serviced by a single executive. In June 2010 the Government approved the formal merging of the agencies and work is ongoing in this regard.

My Department is also working with all other agencies under my aegis to ensure that they are operating as efficiently as possible and complying with Government policy on public service finance and numbers.

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