Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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13. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he continues to be satisfied with the performance of each Department in meeting its targets in the context of public expenditure, savings and reform; the extent to which this applies to all subsidiary bodies or agencies; if any particular or specific requirements are identified to continue to meet such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2621/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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25. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which provision has been made throughout all Departments and bodies under their aegis to ensure compliance with the Government strategy in respect of spending and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2622/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The question is an attempt to ascertain from the Minister the extent to which he remains satisfied about the efforts made by various Departments and their respective subsidiaries on cost-cutting savings measures and reforms and whether particular Departments seem to fall short habitually.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 25 together.

Gross Voted expenditure has been reduced from its peak of €63.1 billion in 2009 to €54.6 billion in 2013. This represents a reduction of approximately 13.5% between 2009 and 2013. Estimated Voted expenditure for 2014 will be in the region of €53 billion, with a targeted general Government deficit of 4.8%. We have made remarkable progress.

This radical improvement in the sustainability of the public finances has helped to achieve our successful exit from the EU-IMF programme of financial assistance. It has been delivered through the efforts of all Ministers and Departments and their agencies to seek savings, pursue efficiencies and manage within constrained budgets, often while meeting increasing demands for the public services they deliver. In this respect, the public service reform plan has been an essential part of the Government's approach in addressing the challenges posed by reduced resources. The reform plan requires a refocus on business processes and adjustments to the way all public bodies use available resources. It promotes changes to the way individual public servants go about their daily work and greater flexibility in the way services are provided, for example, with greater use of technology and shared services. The Government is committed to making fundamental changes to the way the public service operates to safeguard the delivery of essential services in a way that is in keeping with the needs of a modern society, while driving and maintaining value for money.

Managing the delivery of public services within its budgetary allocation is a key responsibility of each Minister. Several measures are in place to help ensure these budgetary targets continue to be met I have referenced some of them. The Department is in regular communication with all Departments and offices to ensure expenditure is controlled and we monitor their draw-down of funds from the Exchequer against the published expenditure profiles. Where necessary, the Department regularly meets line Departments to review financial management. There is regular reporting to the Government on these matters and we publish information monthly as part of the Exchequer statement.

On the reform front, the Deputy will be aware of the public service reform plan published last week, together with a review of performance to date under the original plan. This shows the strong progress made to date by each Department and agency in pursuing the reform plan. Following last week's publication, Departments and offices are preparing new integrated reform delivery plans which comprise central cross-cutting reforms, as well as organisational and sectoral reforms, and outline the progress made in the implementation of the Haddington Road agreement. The plans will maintain a particular focus on increasing efficiency and improving outcomes for service users. Progress will continue to be monitored by the Department and reported on regularly to the Cabinet sub-committee.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Given that some Departments and services are demand-driven, is there particular recognition of their respective positions and those of the subsidiary bodies? To what extent do particular Departments receive unfavourable mention in this regard, notwithstanding what the Minister has just stated?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In shaping the overall initial estimate we have regard to projected demand. It is part of the normal process and provided for.

At the end of the day, if unavoidable demand has to be met for example in a 24-7 area such as the health service, we provide a Supplementary Estimate at the end of the year to meet the shortfall. Despite the best efforts of a Department, if it does not have the capacity to meet demand and we need to provide for it, additional resources must be allowed. We have done that each year we have been in government. However, there is a finite amount available to the State in terms of resources and in terms of what taxpayers can pay and their resistance to additional taxes that are imposed. We are always striking a balance and driving efficiencies is what people demand because the public hate waste. That is why there is always controversy when there is a perception we are not getting value for money.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister again for his reply. Do the various bodies under the aegis of Departments continue to comply with Government policy in this regard? Are there obvious exceptions?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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No. With regard to pay, all the non-commercial State bodies are fully adherent to policy and we drive that. They are subject to FEMPI and so on. We have had a long debate regarding commercial semi-State bodies and they must operate in a commercial way but all the other agencies and bodies are carefully managed and scrutinised now by Departments and we have also implemented a strong rationalisation programme of State agencies over the past three years.