Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 757: To ask the Minister for Education and Science 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. [27305/08

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware I made a detailed statement to the Dail on this matter earlier today in which I outlined the background to the education sector's reduction of € 6.6m in it's budget allocation for 2008.

This year my Department secured a budget increase of some €690m in an overall allocation of over €9.3 billion for the education sector.

I will ensure that the administrative and other efficiencies required to secure these savings by targeting payroll, advertising, consultancy and PR costs, among others, will be achieved.

My Department will inform all its agencies and bodies of the budgetary adjustments that will be necessary immediately and the measures that must be taken to ensure further savings and achieve the payroll reduction of 3% in 2009. In the case of schools the Government agreed that the overall number of teachers and special needs assistants in schools would be agreed by my Department and the Department of Finance.

In summary these measures are about facing up to and dealing with the problems we face in a considered and balanced manner.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 758: To ask the Minister for Defence the expenditure by his Department on consultants for each of the past six calendar years, including to date in 2008; the breakdown of these figures in order to show the amount and proportion of expenditure on consultants which relates to expenditure on public relations, marketing or advertising consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28381/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the table.

I wish to state also that there is an ongoing capital building programme in my Department designed to modernise the living, training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces, both Permanent and Reserve. There has been an unprecedented level of spending on the programme to date with over €250 million spent since 1999. This year will see a further €26 million invested in the programme. As a result of this significant increase in the building programme, consultants with appropriate expertise are engaged by the Department as necessary to provide technical services in connection with building and engineering projects. It should be noted that (as per Comptroller and Auditor General, Report on Value for Money "Consultancies in the Civil Service" 1998) such design and engineering consultancies for capital projects are better examined in association with the construction projects to which they relate. The Department spends approximately €2m annually on Construction Consultants Fees.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 759: To ask the Minister for Defence the pay and emoluments granted to the chief executive officer, or equivalents, of all of the agencies under the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28394/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the table.