Written answers
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Departmental Expenditure
12:00 pm
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 150: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recommendations of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes in so far as they relate to her Department and agencies for which she has responsibility; the recommendations which have been accepted; the recommendations that have been rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4839/10]
Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes included recommendations for the rationalisation of some services provided by my Department's agencies, and for reductions in certain programme and staffing costs.
I have already accepted a number of these recommendations in whole or in part and the resultant financial savings have been incorporated in my Department's Estimate for 2010. Details of these savings are provided on the table below.
In addition to the savings outlined on the table, further savings will be realised in 2010 through the reduction in staff numbers and in pay levels across my Department and its agencies. The 2010 Estimate for my Department which was published on 9 December 2009 included an indicative provisional sum of €39.658 million to be applied to my Department's allocation in respect of adjustments to be made to public service pay.
My Department is currently finalising the precise extent of the pay savings in consultation with the Department of Finance and the necessary adjustments will be reflected in the Revised Estimates Volume which is due to be published later this month.
My Department is continuing to examine all of the proposals made by the Special Group in respect of my Department and its agencies to determine the scope for the implementation of further recommendations.
Some proposals, such as the rationalisation of agencies, may be quite complex to implement and may require legislative provision if they are to be achieved. There are also a number of recommendations in the report affecting my Department which will require cross-Departmental consideration.
However, my Department will examine these proposals and will also look at alternative ways of finding efficiencies which meet the general thrust of the Special Group report.
| Recommendation in theReport of the Special Group | Saving in 2010€m | Comments |
| Reduce IDA capital and administrative costs, including rationalisation of regional offices in Ireland and shared services | 0.857 | Administrative costs have been reduced by €857,000 for 2010. The question of rationalisation of offices requires further consideration.IDA's Capital allocation for 2010 is directly related to its legal commitments. However, €10m was cut from the agency's budget in 2009 on a once-off basis. |
| Enterprise Ireland - efficiency saving in administration. | 3.024 | Enterprise Ireland's administrative budget has been reduced by €3.024m for 2010. |
| Cease funding FÁS Services to Business and Skillnets | 6.000 | Reduction of €6 million has been made in 2010 Estimates for FÁS's Services to Business |
| Abolish FAS training allowances for participants who do not qualify for Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance | 3.200 | This recommendation is being implemented in 2010 |
| Formally merge the functions of the Registrar of Friendly Societies and Companies Registration Office and secure additional efficiencies | 0.146 | The CRO and the RFS currently operate on a shared office basis. Legislative change is required to formally merge the bodies. The Department is currently reviewing the Industrial and Provident Societies (co-operatives) and Friendly Societies legislation. In the meantime, administrative efficiencies of €140,000 have been identified for 2010. |
| Savings in Corporate Services; reduction in Administrative Budget. | 0.468 | Non-Pay savings of €468,000 and substantial Pay savings in the Administrative Budget will be reflected in the Revised Estimates Volume. |
| TOTAL | €13.695m |
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