Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's question relates to the progress made in the Department of the Taoiseach with regard to allowances, and Deputy Adams asked what steps have been taken to deal with the issue of allowances paid to staff in the Department. I have answered those two questions.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, has set out quite exhaustively the scale of public sector reform that is going on. He made an announcement some time ago with regard to a small number of allowances, and subsequently met with the implementation group and the trade unions. Sectoral meetings have taken place since with regard to further savings that can be squeezed from the Croke Park agreement. The Minister is pursuing that.

The strategy for major public sector reform is continuing with intensity. The Deputy is also aware of the recent announcement in respect of savings to be made under the assimilation, absorption and abolition of a whole range of quangos. This work is in train and the Minister will report on it regularly. I do not have the details in front of me here, but they are on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Minister is more than amenable to answering detailed questions on any aspect of allowances which are being abolished, retained or reviewed, the number of which is considerable in each case.

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