Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. The statement of strategy from my Department, published in March, reflects the considerable process of change and restructuring the Department has undergone since I took office. The Department of the Taoiseach, in its position at the centre of Government, has a very important role to play in supporting me and the rest of Government as we work to secure Ireland's future.

The statement of strategy outlines the key strategic priorities to be focused on in the period to 2014. These areas are jobs and growth; Europe; the programme for Government; service; trust; reform; fairness; and peace. The focus of my Department is to ensure that Government policy in these areas is progressed across the whole of Government. Through the system of Cabinet committees and senior official groups, key initiatives such as the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work have been given appropriate priority by my Department. Through these structures, my Department is monitoring progress on the implementation of the action plan for jobs and the first quarterly report was published on 20 April. My Department will also continue to work closely with other Departments to rebuild Ireland's position at EU level and internationally. This will be facilitated by the creation of an integrated EU division in the Department. Ministers and their Departments are, of course, specifically responsible to this House and to the public for policy matters covered within their areas.

The Government is committed to reform of the public service and of the way Government operates in order to become more transparent, accountable and efficient. In this regard, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, is overseeing a major programme of change, for example, in relation to freedom of information legislation, whistleblowers' legislation and regulation of lobbyists. There are also a significant number of commitments in the programme for Government assigned to my Department relating to constitutional and Oireachtas reform.

In addition to its general responsibilities to progress these commitments, my Department will also take specific actions to promote transparency. The Department already publishes details of foreign travel costs online and will soon be able to publish details of purchase orders worth over €20,000. It is also considering how best to publish other financial information online on a monthly basis.

The staffing needs of my Department are kept under ongoing review in order to ensure that it meets its strategic objectives. In addition to staff who transferred from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the enhanced EU division in my Department, further staff have been redeployed from other Departments and a number of specialist temporary staff have been recruited to work on preparations for the EU Presidency. A number of staff have been seconded to my Department from the National Economic and Social Council and Forfás to assist in policy implementation. My Department will continue to change, develop and strengthen its capacity and expertise in light of emerging challenges and priorities.

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