Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if officials from his Department have met with the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12123/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I knew the Minister would like this question.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The secretary general and senior officials from my Department met with the special group on Wednesday, 18 March 2009.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the work of the special group until it has completed its work and submitted it to the Minister for Finance, who will report to Government on the matter.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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On the subject of the third secret of Fatima, it would be useful if we had a public debate in regard to what was discussed at the meeting which took place last week. For clarification purposes, the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes is an bord snip nua, the group currently investigating expenditure by each Department of State.

Perhaps the Minister will state whether he or his officials, prior to meeting with the group, had any discussions with the education partners in regard to areas of potential wastage within the education Vote. From my discussions with the partners, they can readily identify second and third level expenditure areas in which savings can be achieved. Progress can be made in this area if we work on a collaborative basis. Was there any discussion with the education partners in advance of that meeting?

Can the Minister outline any potential areas where big savings and reform can be achieved? I have gone on record in regard to a number of them during the past six months or so. We can make progress if we work with the education partners.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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We meet regularly with the education partners and did so in the context of the last budget in terms of funding. We are in regular contact with them. The secretary general and senior officials from my Department liaise on a regular basis with the education partners. We are apprised of some of the issues. I have met with principal teacher organisations and have listened to their proposals. Obviously, I welcome that participation and level of dialogue.

On the review group, its remit is to examine all areas of public spending. I am examining expenditure in the third level sector and in this regard met with the Higher Education Authority yesterday. I also addressed a meeting of the new authority. Last week, the secretary general and I met with the Chairman of the HEA and other people who had examined expenditure in one of the third level institutions in terms of how it had and could make further significant savings. I am not waiting for the review group to complete its work. I have asked the HEA to request the presidents of the institutes of technology to meet with this group to tease out with it where savings can be garnered. I will meet later with the presidents and provost of Trinity College, Dublin, to tease out with them where savings can be made within that particular sector. That is one example of where we are being proactive in terms of ensuring we obtain value for money in respect of every day spending.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister agree that an area where savings could be made is exceptional salaries to people in the third level sector? These people must acknowledge the circumstances facing this country and the pressure on the Minister's Department in terms of resources and in this regard be prepared to take a significant cut in salary as a means of achieving savings and showing good leadership. Does the Minister agree with that position?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I made my position clear on a radio programme last week when I instanced that secretaries general within the various Departments had taken significant cuts in their salaries. I also indicated that people who held similar positions within the education sector should, perhaps, consider doing likewise.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Is it the intention of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes to revisit the Department of Education and Science to reconsider some of the proposals made at the meeting held last week or was that a once-off meeting?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not sure. The remit of the review group is to report to the Minister for Finance who will then present a report to Government. Obviously, I will be party to the submission brought before Cabinet.