Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the mechanism he will use to achieve the 3% reduction in payroll costs for his Department as announced in July 2008; the areas, sections or agencies that will be affected by this reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40952/08]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the effect Budget 2009 has had on the proposal of a 3% payroll reduction as outlined in July 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40920/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 130 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, the Government decided in July 2008 on a number of spending measures to maintain a prudent fiscal out-turn for 2008 and to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the financial situation in 2009. The Government reiterated its position on Budget Day on 14 October 2008.

One of the measures decided upon by Government is that all Departments, State agencies and local authorities — other than in Health and Education — reduce their payroll bill by 3% by the end of 2009 through all appropriate measures identified by local management in the light of local circumstances.

My Department and the agencies that come within its ambit are currently considering a number of measures to secure a 3% reduction in payroll costs by the end of 2009. These include control of premium pay, management of vacancies, the organisation of work processes and the levels at which work is carried out, as well as control of numbers through recruitment and other measures.

The key priority for my Department remains the delivery of front-line services and the provision of services to those who most need them, and this is being borne in mind as my Department considers measures and mechanisms to reduce payroll costs by the required 3%. My Department will continue to work with the Department of Finance to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to achieve the savings required.