Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 557: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimate of the money saved to the Exchequer in 2007 by the use of the management information framework system; the way this saving was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34309/07]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 558: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the management information framework system has been fully rolled out in his Department; the use being made of performance indicators, the costing framework and management reports provided by this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34324/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 558 together.

My Department's Management Information Framework incorporates a financial module, which is updated on a regular basis, as well as an extensive business activity module. The financial module provides up to date information based on a cost centre and nominal coding structure that reflects the full range of business needs. The system currently provides some 7 million combinations of coding.

The business activity module comprises a system of passive monthly reports as well as an interactive computer based business intelligence system. The latter development has been rolled out to my Department's regional offices. Following the Minister of Finance's announcement of a number of reforms to the budget and estimates process the work undertaken to develop a costing framework became the foundation for the Annual Output Statement (AOS) which is submitted to the Select Committee on Social and Family Affairs.

My Department's business planning process is closely linked to the Statement of Strategy and management reports on business activities include performance indicators that reflect the key business objectives of my Department. While it is not possible to quantify in monetary terms the savings accruing to the Exchequer arising from the Management Information Framework, the system has enabled the development of a comprehensive financial management system, the introduction of both passive and interactive management reporting and the production of the Annual Output Statement.