Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Heritage and Local Government his plans for consolidation of agencies and organisations under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44483/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are some 20 agencies under my remit, and as part of the rationalisation programme for State agencies I have an active consolidation programme in train that will reduce this number by six.

In June 2009, I established the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency to amalgamate the national agencies that currently support our social and affordable housing programmes. These are the National Building Agency, the Affordable Homes Partnership and the Centre for Housing Research. The new agency was established on an administrative basis in May 2010 and when it is legislatively established next year, the existing three agencies will be wound up. Pending legislation, the Local Government Management Services Board and the Local Government Computer Services Board are working very closely together on an administrative basis as the local government management agency.

The administrative functions of the Rent Tribunalwere transferred to the Private Residential Tenancies Board with effect from 1 October 2009. The functions of the Fire Services Councilare being undertaken by my Department since the term of office of its members expired on 30 June 2009 and it is not intended to reappoint a council. The Limerick NorthsideandSouthside Regeneration Agencies are already serviced by a single executive. In June 2010 the Government approved the formal merging of the agencies and work is ongoing in this regard.

My Department is also working with all other agencies under my aegis to ensure that they are operating as efficiently as possible and complying with Government policy on public service finance and numbers.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Arising from his reply, does the Minister accept that in the context of the current financial climate it is essential to look at all of the agencies under his Department - just as will be done in every other Ministry - to ensure we do not deprive citizens of a service at the expense of retaining an agency or quango that should have its work carried out by the line Department? Some 85 agencies and bodies can be identified at local and national level in the Minister's Department that could be merged or abandoned and the considerable savings that would accrue could yield a significant return that could help towards the difficulties the Department will have in the Estimates for 2011. Will the Minister accept that he needs to revisit his policy and the agencies he has identified to date to ensure we have devolution of power from the central area to the local area, that we have greater accountability for the existing agencies and that we achieve greater efficiencies in line with the local government efficiency report in order to yield a better return for citizens at this time of straitened financial circumstances?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We should pursue greater efficiencies wherever we can make them. However, I would point out that we are very much in line with the McCarthy report. The Deputy mentioned the efficiency review group, which is a group I introduced and which does very good work under Mr. McLoughlin. It has identified a number of efficiencies at local government level. My Department is on course with regard to the McCarthy report and I have introduced another group to take a particular look at the Dublin area. This group is about to start examining the boundaries. However, wherever we attempt to introduce efficiencies, we always face a problem with some Fine Gael councillors.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A problem with Fine Gael councillors?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am afraid so. Recently, I had a meeting with some Fine Gael councillors who objected to the idea of having the managers come together for various discussions.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Minister not the boss? That must have been the first time he listened to the Fine Gael councillors.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I pointed out to them that this proposal was in the Fine Gael document, but I do not think they were familiar with that document.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am glad the Minister read it. He must show leadership.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Unfortunately, that is what happens. It is all very well to be theoretical on these issues, but we must also apply some practical backbone and see whether we can carry out these recommendations.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I remind Deputy Hogan we must deal with this question within six minutes.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will be brief. The Minister's response deserves another response. The Chair will realise that over the past three and a half years the Minister has presided over the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, DDDA. I am sure he is delighted with the work that has been carried out by the authority and that this work covers the Department in great glory. I am surprised he has not listed the authority among the organisations he wishes to abandon, in view of the fact that the work is largely completed, with the exception of one or two sites that are now effectively derelict or in NAMA. Will the Minister concede that there are several agencies like the DDDA that will yield considerable savings that could be brought back into the Department or agencies like the Temple Bar Cultural Trust that could be brought under the umbrella of the Dublin City Council? Will he agree he could be more decisive with regard to the number of agencies he could examine with a view to terminating their existence in the interest of getting better value for money, greater accountability and more streamlined delivery of services for citizens?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Efficiencies have been made, in particular with regard to the organisation to which the Deputy has just referred and the authority has reduced staff numbers considerably. The other agencies mentioned will be kept under constant review. We are very cognisant of the fact that we are going through an unprecedented economic crisis and that we must, as a result, cut our cloth accordingly. I have no difficulty in doing that. We have made significant savings over the past number of years and as a result local authorities are suffering. The local government fund has been reduced and local authorities have had to make huge savings. That will continue. I believe we can make major savings through the kind of reforms we have recommended. The amalgamation of the local authorities is not without controversy and it will take significant political will to introduce these political reforms, but I am happy to do that.