Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the review processes that have taken place or he has requested to be undertaken in respect of the budgeting, financial and reporting systems within his Department and agencies; the costs incurred to date; the expected total costs; the deadlines that have been imposed for such reviews; if he will make the reports' findings public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3015/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In Budget 2008, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance announced the requirement for all Government Departments to examine all administrative spending under their aegis with a view to producing efficiency savings. The review covers all spending with no area being regarded as exempt from critical scrutiny with a view to realising efficiencies. All non-commercial State Bodies under the aegis of my Department have been requested to carry out an efficiency review in this regard and report back to my Department by 9 February. A similar exercise is being undertaken on both Administrative and Programme Expenditure within my Department. All Departments are required to submit their reports to the Department of Finance by 1 March.

A Group has been set up in my Department to oversee this project. This Group has representation from all Sectors in my Department. This Group will coordinate, for submission to the Management Committee and to me, efficiency savings proposals received from areas in my Department and the Group will also scrutinise efficiency savings proposals received from agencies under the aegis of my Department.

I would emphasise that this is a high priority issue from both the Government's and my own viewpoint. I fully support the efficient and effective use of taxpayers' money and the continuous achievement of value for money. My Department continuously seeks to deliver programme and administrative expenditure as approved each year by the Dáil, in a value for money way while meeting the policy objectives underpinning this expenditure.