Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, together.

Following the restructuring completed in 2011, my Department is now engaged on core activities which focus on supporting the Taoiseach and supporting the Government.

The Department has undergone significant change in the past 12 months. A new Economic Management Council, a new Programme for Government Office and a new Office of the Tánaiste, within the Department of the Taoiseach, have been established.

The Cabinet Committee structure has been changed. Other significant changes include a new integrated European affairs division, involving the transfer of 18 staff and functions from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Department of the Taoiseach; the transfer of 27 staff and functions relating to public service reform from the Department of the Taoiseach to the new Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the adoption of a different approach to social dialogue by the new Government, which replaces the previous social partnership process and places a greater emphasis on the role of line Departments rather than a centralised process managed by the Department of the Taoiseach.

Following the restructuring completed in 2011, my Department is now engaged in the following core activities: the executive functions of the Taoiseach and the Government; the Government secretariat, my private office and the offices of the Government Chief Whip and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs; the Office of the Tánaiste; the Government press office; support for the Taoiseach in carrying out my duties as Head of Government, including in relation to the Oireachtas, constitutional issues, protocol, the European Council, the North/South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council; engaging with the formulation and implementation of Government policy, mainly through the system of Cabinet committees, including the Economic Management Council, senior officials groups and the new Programme for Government Office; providing briefing and advice for me on the full range of domestic policy issues and on international affairs; supporting the Government and myself in the formulation and implementation of EU policy, including the co-ordination of EU policy interests across the whole of Government; and delivering support services through corporate affairs division, that is, HR, finance, IT and other services.

All of these functions are carried out within a staff ceiling of 185, which will rise temporarily to over 200 arising from Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2013. Overall, there has been a reduction in staff numbers of 20% since January 2008. It should also be borne in mind that my Department is the smallest Department, with an annual budget of under €20 million.

The details requested in regard to staff numbers in my Department in March 2011 and to date are set out in the table, which I propose to circulate with the Official Report. I am also proposing to circulate with the Official Report the details requested regarding the number of staff employed in the Government Information Service and www.merrionstreet.ie. Two staff from Forfás are on loan to my Department to work on the implementation of the action plan for jobs.

My advisors work closely with the civil servants in my Department on the preparation of speech material. One of my personal assistants is involved in this process and works on an e-working basis. Three members of staff in my Department retired in February 2012, comprising one principal officer, one executive officer who work-shared and one head service officer. The staffing needs of my Department are kept under ongoing review in order to ensure that it meets its objectives, and sanction has been received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to fill a small number of vacancies through internal competitions.

My advisors work closely with the civil servants in my Department on the preparation of speech material. One of my personal assistants is involved in this process and works on an e-working basis. Three members of staff in my Department retired in February 2012, comprising one principal officer, one executive officer who work-shared and one head service officer. The staffing needs of my Department are kept under ongoing review in order to ensure that it meets its objectives, and sanction has been received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to fill a small number of vacancies through internal competitions.

Merrionstreet.ie

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