Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Deputy is aware of the changes that have happened in the Department of the Taoiseach. He is aware that the most significant element of the Vote relates to administration. The Forum on Europe and other bodies have been closed. The Newfoundland arrangement has been subsumed back into another Department. The National Economic and Social Development Office, which includes the National Economic and Social Council and two other bodies that are now out of commission, is the only agency of that type for which the Department of the Taoiseach is still responsible.

The answer to the Deputy's question, therefore, is that the Department of the Taoiseach is dealing with its administrative Vote. It will continue to reduce its numbers while maintaining high quality services. By the end of 2014, its number of staff will decrease by a further 2% below the employment control framework target set by the Department of Finance. The Deputy is aware that 55 staff have been redeployed since January 2008. A further five support staff will be redeployed shortly. The Department will continue to facilitate the reallocation of staff to those areas of greatest need, in accordance with the system of redeployment set out in the agreement.

The total budget of the Department of the Taoiseach was reduced by 31% between 2008 and 2010. There was a reduction of 11% in the administration budget during that time. The 2011 administration budget Estimate has been reduced by 15% by comparison with the Revised Estimate for 2010. Further savings will be achieved over the period of the plan through continued efficiencies in procurement practices, greater use of technology and shared services, energy efficiency programmes, the use of central framework agreements and close monitoring of all expenditure. The Department of the Taoiseach incurs its operating expenditure across a range of goods and services, including travel services, staff training and development, State functions, telecommunications, office equipment, premises expenses, information technology, library costs, consultancy, printing and other incidental costs. An average of €3 million is spent on such matters each year.

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