Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has plans to reduce the number of staff within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42456/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Administrative Budget for my Department in 2009 has been set at €43.10m which represents a reduction of 8% (€3.8m) over the original allocation for 2008. This reduction consists of a 4% cut in payroll costs, a 24% cut across general administrative budget areas such as office premises expenses and training and a 50% cut in Departmental consultancy costs for 2009. Management of this budget will require control of all costs associated with running a Department and there are a number of options available to achieve payroll and other administrative savings. In the staffing area, this may include intentionally delaying the filling of vacancies, the non-filling of certain vacancies, reviewing all temporary contract and seconded staff agreements and reviewing the internal organisation of work processes to ensure the best allocation of existing resources.