Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in respect of the announcement of 3 February 2009, it is intended to effect the 8% reduction in professional fees in relation to services provided to or funded by his Department; the amount expected to be saved in his Department's budget as a result of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8965/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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On foot of a recent Government Decision, the Department of Finance wrote to my Department on 23 February last with regard to effecting an 8% reduction in professional fees in relation to services provided to or funded by my Department or by relevant bodies within its ambit.

Officials in my Department have since initiated a process of engagement with all relevant service providers with a view to appropriately reducing the fees for ongoing contracts in respect of services to be provided on or after 1 March 2009. A similar process is under way in the relevant bodies within my Department's ambit.

Until such time as these processes are concluded, it is not possible to give specific details of the savings that will be achieved. I understand, however, that it is intended that estimated savings arising from the 8% reduction in professional fees will be reflected by way of reduced allocations across Departmental Votes in the Revised Estimate Volume when it is published.