Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department has carried out an efficiency savings analysis with a view to cutting out unnecessary costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30234/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is very conscious of the need to control unnecessary costs and achieve value for money. In this respect a detailed spend analysis was carried out recently by the Department in the context of the development of a Corporate Procurement Plan. The plan, which will be launched shortly, is being introduced to deliver strategic procurement practice and annual efficiency dividends.

In addition, the Department is required as part of the Administrative Budget Agreement it has in place with the Department of Finance to provide an administrative efficiency dividend equivalent to 2% of its administrative spending.

Formal reviews, with the focus on policy and key spending areas in particular, are also taking place as part of the Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative; examining spending in a systematic manner as part of a framework introduced to secure improved value for money from public expenditure.