Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the assignments of responsibility which have been made under section 9 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 for the performance of his functions by officers of his Department, indicating in respect of each function or class of function whether the assignment has been to named officers or to a grade, or grades, of officer and whether any of the requirements listed in section 9 (1) (a) to (f) of the Act have been included in the assignment; if information relating to such assignments of responsibility is published by his Department; if he is satisfied with the workings of section 9 within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8150/05]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the arrangements in place within his Department relating to the delegation by him of his functions under Acts other than the Public Service Management Act 1997, indicating whether such delegations are express or implied, whether they are in general terms or confined to particular functions, or the performance of functions, in particular classes of cases, whether the delegation is to named officers or to officers of a particular grade or grades and whether the performance of functions of any particular class is reserved to him personally; if information relating to such delegations is published by his Department; if he is satisfied with the working of this system of administration in conjunction with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8165/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 256 together.

Assignments of responsibility under section 9 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 for the performance of functions in my Department have been made to named officers at assistant secretary level and include, where appropriate, requirements listed under section 9 (1) (a) to (f) of the Act. Given the very extensive range of functions for which I am responsible under legislation as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, it is not practical to delegate specifically in each case. Many of these functions are exercised or administered on my behalf by officials of my Department without any express delegation by me. Whereas certain functions under Acts have been formally delegated by me to officers of a particular grade, for example, under the Documentary Evidence Act 1925 and the Freedom of Information Act 1997, the performance of other functions under Acts, such as the making of deportation orders and decisions in relation to the acquisition or otherwise of citizenship through naturalisation under the Immigration Act 2004, are reserved to the Minister.

Information on assignments of responsibility under the Public Service Management Act 1997 and functions delegated under other Acts are not generally published by my Department. I am satisfied with the workings of section 9 of the PMA 1997 and the system of administration of ministerial functions in my Department.