Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the breakdown of the specific programme changes made by her Department to achieve the budgetary savings estimated for 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47887/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Overall, my Department's Estimate for 2010, including the National Training Fund, shows an increase in expenditure of €70.7 million compared to the 2009 Estimate. The additional funding will primarily be used to protect jobs and support those who are unemployed. Notwithstanding the overall increase in my Department's Estimate for 2010, many Subheads will have reduced allocations next year compared to 2009.

The areas in which savings will be achieved are as follows: · Reduction in funding to FÁS for training those in employment as increased resources are directed at training people who are unemployed (€6 million saving in 2010 compared to 2009). · Reduction in grant for Community Employment training and materials overhead (€7.6 million saving). · Reduction in part-time third level places and ending of Science Challenge within FAS (€4.5 million saving). · Cessation of the FÁS Training Allowance to new entrants who do not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance (€3.2 million saving). · Reduction in Current Non-Pay funding for agencies and Offices under the aegis of the Department (€5.761 million saving). · Reduction in Current Non-Pay funding for Science and Technology programmes (€1.121 million saving). · Reduction in CE/Job Initiative allowances (€5 million saving). · Reduction in allocations to a range of other programmes and services (€1.343 million saving). · Reduction in Capital expenditure compared to 2009 (€14.3 million saving on 2009 base-line figure).

In addition, a reduction of €39.658 million was made to my Department's Estimate for 2010 in respect of payroll and related adjustments which will be distributed across my Department, its Offices and its agencies in the Revised Estimates Volume in the New Year. When these payroll reductions are taken into consideration, administration costs across my Department, its Offices and agencies will fall by 10% in 2010. Payments made to FAS participants will also reduce by approximately €15.5 million in 2010, in line with changes to social welfare allowances.

The measures outlined above are contributing to the stabilisation of the public finances while at the same time enabling resources to be targeted at helping enterprises to grow and create new jobs, maintaining investment in the Smart Economy, and assisting those who are unemployed through re-skilling and other appropriate supports.