Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff who will be released as a result of the rationalisation of 30 State agencies announced in budget 2009; and if new legislation is needed to allow staff to be assigned to work outside of the agencies being merged. [12524/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In Budget 2009, I announced 30 rationalisation decisions that will reduce the number of State agencies by 41. The specific details with regard to reductions in numbers and the requirement for new legislation is a matter for the relevant Departments responsible for each of the rationalisation proposals. The general policy approach is to create efficiencies, including staffing efficiencies, through streamlining the delivery of public services, removing duplication of functions and promoting Departmental and Ministerial responsibility. The requirement for new legislation arises from the individual circumstances of the bodies, for example where the functions of statutory bodies are being changed or the body abolished. The assignment of staff to work outside of the agencies is in general a human resources/industrial relations issue and does not normally require new legislation.