Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 332: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on cost saving measures she plans introducing in the second half of 2008; if such measures will affect the delivery of front-line services to the public; the programmes that will be postponed or discontinued as a result of such cost savings. [27306/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government decided this week that public expenditure savings totalling €440 million will need to be found this year across all Departments and agencies to manage the present budgetary pressures. My Department will contribute a minimum of €24.551 million towards the overall savings target. €19.15 million of my Department's 2008 savings will be in respect of FÁS's allocation, which is the largest single spending area in my Department's Vote, amounting to over €1 billion.

A saving of just over €1 million will arise on my Department's Administrative Budget and the remaining savings will, as far as possible, be spread proportionately across other areas of my Department's Vote. As required by the Government decision, savings will include a reduced spend on areas such as consultancy, advertising and public relations.

The savings identified will have minimum impact on front line services and have been designed to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our society are protected. Thus, there will be no reduction in places on Community Employment or the Jobs Initiative scheme and no savings are being sought on programmes for people with disabilities.