Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the effect that the recent re-configuration of portfolios will have on the budgetary forecasts of his Department; if these changes mean that legislation will be necessary to underpin them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14256/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The changes in Departmental functions announced by the Taoiseach in the Dáil on 23rd March will have an effect on the Estimates of the Departments involved, including my Department. These changes will involve transferring the relevant programme expenditure from one Department to another. All such transfers of funds will be carried out strictly on an Exchequer-neutral basis. Some staff, and related administrative costs, may also be transferred between Departments, again on an Exchequer-neutral basis.

On the question of legislation, in most cases transfers of Departmental functions are carried out by Government Order under powers contained in section 6(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939, while in some cases amending legislation may be needed. This aspect of the changes announced by the Taoiseach is still being examined in my Department and in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.