Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Finance the implications in terms of a reduction in staff numbers and savings in annual costs of the programme of rationalisation of State agencies outlined in budget 2009. [38734/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In my Budget for 2009, I announced that the Government has decided to proceed with proposals from 11 Departments that will reduce the number of State agencies by 41. Implementation of each proposal is primarily a matter for the responsible Department.

The rationalisation of State agencies, which involves amalgamating bodies, reassigning legislative and administrative functions, and discontinuing bodies in some cases, is a complex and sensitive exercise. Furthermore, rationalisation will give rise to a range of human resource issues, which will be the subject of consultation and discussion with the relevant staff interests as appropriate.

Consequently, in view of the complexities outlined above and timing issues, it is not yet possible to give an exact overview of the rationalisation process but there will be savings which will be passed on to the taxpayer.