Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 141 together. Under Paragraph 1.16 of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014, the implementation body is required to carry out an annual review of the sustainable savings generated from the implementation of the agreement and of the agreements in each sector. The body carried out its first such review last year and published a detailed first annual report last June. The period under review related on that occasion to the first year of operation of the agreement - 1 April 2010 to the end of March 2011.

The body's report was comprehensive and robust, providing a detailed account of the sustainable savings that had been achieved under the agreement to date. It is worth recalling that the report estimated sustainable pay bill savings in the order of €289 million were achieved in the first year. In addition, examples were provided of administrative efficiency or non-pay related savings of some €308 million. Furthermore, the report outlined in some detail the progress being achieved on implementing the change and reform agendas as set out in the action plans in place in each sector. The body also provided a frank assessment of the progress made in the first year, concluding that "solid and measurable" progress was being made during the implementation year plan.

The second annual review of the agreement by the body is currently under way and, as before, this review will examine the extent of savings and reform that have been achieved under the framework of the agreement in its second year. The relevant review period is 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012. The exact structure and content of the implementation body's report arising from this review is a matter for the body itself under its independent chair. I look forward to receiving the report and I expect it will be published in June 2012. I take a very close interest in the implementation of the public service agreement. I meet with members of the implementation body, including meeting them with the Taoiseach, and am due to do so again shortly. It is also worth emphasising that officials in my Department are integrally involved in overseeing implementation of the agreement in their capacity as members of the implementation body. The secretariat to the body is also provided by my Department.

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