Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs 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. [27312/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Yesterday I outlined to the House the actions that the Department of Social and Family Affairs will be taking this year as part of the Government's collective approach to controlling short-term expenditure in the interests of Ireland's future prosperity.

The following measures will generate savings of nearly €30 million in 2008: increased control activities to keep fraud and abuse to a minimum and to eliminate incorrect payments; reduced advertising and awareness campaigns by the Department; a more gradual deployment of IT and e-Government related projects; and the Personal Advocacy Service will not be introduced this year by the Citizens Information Board.

Advocacy services will continue to be made available to people with disabilities through the Community and Voluntary Sector Advocacy programme and the other advocacy services provided by the Board. Only one new Family Resource Centre will be opened this year and additional staff will not be provided for the existing centres. Funding will continue as planned to the 106 centres nationwide.

Refurbishment of some offices for the Family Mediation Service will be deferred. Reductions in spending on conferences, advertising and awareness raising activities by the Combat Poverty Agency.