Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the rationale for cutting the budget of the Equality Authority by 43% and that of the Irish Human Rights Commission by 24% when most agencies within his Department have had their budgets cut by between 2% and 5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38615/08]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his reasoning for the cuts to the equality and rights infrastructure here at a time when international experts are working on strengthening equality and rights protections in view of global economic turmoil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38618/08]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason his recent decision regarding the Equality Authority has pre-empted the outcome of a value for money review of the Equality Authority being carried out by an external agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38619/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 249, 252 and 253 together.

The context in which financial provision has been made by the Government for the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority for 2009 is as indicated in the Budget Announcement of 14 October 2008. In both cases, while I accept that reduced budgets will cause some difficulties, I also consider that there is sufficient funding provided in 2009 for these bodies to enable them to discharge their core activities.

The Value for Money review of the Equality Authority is an analysis of past performance in achieving the tasks set out in its strategic plan to date. The Budget decisions do not pre-empt the outcome of that review. I would also remind the deputy that the provision in 2009 for the Equality Tribunal — the body which adjudicates on claims of inequality — has been increased by 15%.

On a more general level, I should also state that as I indicated in my contribution to the budget debate I had decided that the main priority in the Justice area in 2009 will be tackling crime. In that regard, decisions about funding reflect that priority with the result that in a small number of areas budgets have been reduced significantly. Moreover, in line with Government policies generally I have asked all bodies to significantly reduce their spending on consultants, advertising and other non core items.