Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Will the further strengthening of the ethical framework for officeholders and public servants be part of the new Civil Service accountability programme? I cannot see it in the timeline but I know the Minister is committed to it. In what guise will it come?

The Minister spoke about the preparation for universal health insurance. Again, the White Paper is promised for early 2014. Are we on target for that? There has been much criticism, wrongly placed, at the decision concerning free medical care for the under sixes and that this was a sign we will never see universal health insurance.

Property asset management is now a profession and will rightly be reformed with that view in mind. These are the details people do not want to listen to because it is about property, yet they are very quick to criticise State offices lying idle and how much it costs. People then are critical of moneys spent on managing these properties properly. Now an inventory has been done of State properties, are there other uses for properties not being used? Can charities, for example, use these properties rather than paying double rents?

Procurement has also become a profession. The Minister referred to hiring professionals and sharing skills that already exist. What is the cost of the Office of Government Procurement? I note not all Departments, such as Health and Education and Skills, are involved in the office. Is that because they cannot be or that they do not want to be?

The reform of immigration services is often raised in this House with many Members arguing such reform is more than urgent. Will the Minister give us some indication of where this will fit into the public service plan and the timeframe?