Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 78: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the semi-State bodies, boards or agencies for which his Department has responsibility, which it is intended to abolish or merge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32831/08]

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

As I indicated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 768 on September 24 last, 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. It is also essential that in relation to these services, there is the optimum level of transparency and accountability in their delivery to the citizen. This is particularly the case in relation to the large number of non-commercial State agencies now in existence and which was adversely commented on in the OECD Report on the Irish Public Service published last April.

In the context of the 2009 estimates process, all Departments, including my own, are looking at the options to rationalise their agencies with a view to delivering financial efficiencies as well as the more effective delivery of services to the public. 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 and other back office functions, are availed of to the fullest extent possible. Moreover, the Government is anxious to ensure that in delivering public services, state agencies avoid the risk of confusing customers by any overlap of functions or roles.

I am also conscious of the need to ensure that the established model of Ministerial accountability to the Oireachtas is supported and enhanced. In that context, appropriate governance mechanisms must be developed to ensure that all these bodies remain connected to the strategic policy objectives of the parent Department. A number of agencies under the aegis of my Department are included in this analysis and are the subject of critical evaluation based on these principles. I can assure the Deputy that any solution arrived at will in no way dilute the level of services provided to the public in all the relevant areas.