Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 16, inclusive, together.

As Deputies will be aware, a new programme for Government office has been established in my Department. Two whole-time staff have been assigned to the office from within existing Department resources. This staff, comprising an assistant principal officer and a higher executive officer, has a total annual salary cost of €144,266.27, including employers' PRSI. The office is currently in the process of developing structures which will allow it to monitor programme implementation and to report to me and to the Cabinet on progress across all Departments.

As part of that structure, my Department will ensure that departmental strategy statements for the period 2011-14 fully reflect commitments in the programme for Government, together with the EU-IMF programme and the comprehensive expenditure review. Departments will, as part of the strategy statement process, publish annual output statements, which will quantify and report on progress in implementing the programme and outline the commitments for the Department for the year ahead. I also envisage that the Government's first annual progress report on the programme for Government will be made available on my Department's website in March of next year.

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