Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 595: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on cost saving measures he 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. [27300/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Earlier this week the Government decided on a number of spending measures to maintain a prudent fiscal out-turn for 2008. That decision included expenditure savings on my Department's Vote of €9.1 million. Further savings in expenditure will be sought in 2009.

The savings in the current year will be absorbed by my Department on its administrative budget and by the State Agencies under its aegis. The focus will be on savings in administrative spending (operating costs, including salaries), the streamlining of service delivery and improved efficiency. Savings in expenditure on the investment programmes and schemes operated by the Department were not targeted in the Government decision. Nevertheless, I will be examining every aspect of the schemes and services in the context of the current economic circumstances and the more limited financial resources with a view to identifying savings, ensuring that expenditure is fully justified and that it provides the best possible value for public investment at this time.