Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 768: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement detailing the justification for his reported proposal to amalgamate the Equality Authority, the Human Rights Commission and the Data Protection Commissioner; and if any research concluded or evidence gathered by his Department suggests their human rights work would be enhanced by virtue of an amalgamation. [29563/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the current economic climate, it is incumbent on the State to ensure that the citizen is provided with services that give value for money and that are effective and efficient. This is particularly the case in relation to the large number of non-commercial State agencies now in existence.

In the context of the ongoing expenditure reviews and the 2009 estimates process, all Departments are looking at the possibility to rationalise their non-commercial agencies in order to deliver savings in 2009.

It is equally important to ensure that agency functions do not overlap, that there is effective and ongoing communication between these bodies and that the opportunity for synergies, including the sharing of corporate service functions, are availed of to the fullest degree possible. Moreover the Government is anxious to ensure that in delivering public services, state agencies avoid the risk of confusing customers by overlap of functions or roles.

The bodies mentioned by the Deputy are included in that analysis and will be subject to critical evaluation based on these principles. However, I can assure the Deputy that any solution arrived at will in no way dilute the level of services provided to the public in the areas of human rights, equality and data protection.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 769: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the State agencies related to his Department. [29564/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to refer the Deputy to the response to Parliamentary Questions number 471 & 472 of 2 October, 2007 which contains details of the agencies and other bodies under the remit of my Department including information concerning budgets, staff numbers, date of establishment, etc. I can also refer the Deputy to my Department's website www.justice.ie which incorporates an organisation chart at http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Organisation chart setting out in summary the main associated bodies under the aegis of my Department.