Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 78: 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 achieve the general administrative reductions in regard to 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. [8966/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which funding by his Department is expected to be prioritised in 2009; if financial cutbacks are expected to affect one sector more than another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8852/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.

As signalled in this House yesterday, the Government is considering a number of measures, which are likely to involve a combination of both revenue-raising and expenditure adjustments, to maintain a prudent fiscal outturn for 2009 and to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Across Government, we will be undertaking a range of difficult decisions, but our approach is to do this in as balanced a way as possible. The effects of this in terms of my Department's allocations will be set out in due course in the Revised Estimates Volume.

I can assure the Deputy, as previously indicated to the House, that my primary concern is to continue to make every effort to ensure that the front-line services provided by, or supported through, my Department — especially those focused on the needs of the most disadvantaged communities — are protected to the greatest extent possible.