Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

Through the implementation of the commitments in the programme for Government, this Government will introduce the most ambitious programme of public service reform since the foundation of the State. Public service reform is a central priority for the Government and for me personally and that is why I have appointed a senior Minister with full cabinet responsibility for that agenda. It is our objective to have a leaner, more effective and better value for money public service, something which is in the interests of everyone in this country.

The cost of delivering public services must be reduced further and this will be done through the planned reduction in public service numbers and through greater efficiencies in the way in which public services are delivered. The reform programme, including the highly significant comprehensive spending review, will be led by the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, and Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes. Of course, it is the responsibility of all Ministers to ensure the public service reform programme is implemented with energy and commitment in their Departments and sectors.

The Government intends to use the full potential of the Croke Park agreement to support the reform programme and to deliver greater flexibility, redeployment and changed work practices. We must have full implementation of the many commitments to efficiency and reform in the agreement and, notwithstanding progress to date, it is clear that the pace of change under the agreement needs to be accelerated in order that savings can by achieved and services delivered more effectively, with significantly reduced staff numbers and a stronger focus on the citizen.

In terms of the future role of my Department, at present the public service modernisation division of the Department is involved in a wide range of work in the public service reform area, including implementation of the Croke Park agreement, the senior public service and the organisational review programme, to mention just a few areas. Arrangements to transfer the functions and staff of this division to the new Department of Public Expenditure and Reform once it has been formally established are being finalised. In the meantime, the division is continuing its work in close co-operation with its counterparts in the public service management and development division in the Department of Finance.

In conclusion, I plan to maintain a very strong interest in the public service reform programme and I will chair a Cabinet committee of all the relevant Ministers to oversee the Government's programme in this important area. I look forward to working closely with Deputy Howlin and others in this regard. Deputies may be assured that public service reform will be kept firmly at the centre of this Government's thinking and its actions and I look forward to real progress being delivered in the near future.

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