Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 417: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the date for each year since 2000 of pre-budget meetings held with the Department of Finance and the Department of the Taoiseach; the attendees at such meetings; if an agenda was circulated in advance; if minutes of such a meeting were kept; if not the reason for same; if officials were directed not to keep minutes of such meetings; if so, by whom and the date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter [17561/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Estimates process for each year, of which the Budget is a central part, begins in May/June of the previous year and formal meetings are usually held during the period May to December. The precise timing of these meetings in the overall process, particularly those involving Ministers, can depend on when the Government is considering different aspects of the budgetary process at regular or special Government meetings.

Meetings are held that involve:

Line Sections in the Department and the Department's Finance Unit

The Finance Unit and the Department's Management Advisory Committee (MAC)

Meetings between MAC and the Minister and Ministers of State

Meetings between officials of this Department and Department of Finance

Ministerial Bi-Lateral meetings between the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Education & Science and their senior officials.

In general position papers covering the particular aspects of the process under consideration at a particular point in time are prepared in advance, as distinct from a formal agenda document. While a formal agenda and related minutes may not be maintained other than where the matters are discussed at the regular meetings between the Minister, Ministers of State and MAC all decisions taken arising from budget and estimates discussions are documented and supported by any papers prepared for those discussions and form part of the Department's records.