Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 58: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if agreement has been reached regarding any budgetary changes that were necessary due to recent departmental changes; if so, the effect the changes have had on the budget of the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19014/10]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 74: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the recent changes to his Department; if all changes have now been completed; if all personnel have been transferred; if all printing has been concluded; the overall cost of such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19011/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 65 and 74 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, as part of the restructuring of Departments and agencies announced by the Taoiseach in Dáil Éireann on 23 March last to ensure greater coherence and produce more efficient delivery, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will become the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and will incorporate responsibility for social inclusion policy and family policy from the Department of Social and Family Affairs and for equality, disability, integration and human rights from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The formal transfer of responsibility for social inclusion policy and family policy from the Department of Social and Family Affairs to my own Department has now taken place and an Order has been made in this regard. The Order cites that my Department has responsibility for these functions with effect from 1 May 2010 and the relevant personnel and staff working in these areas formally transferred to my Department from that date.

In relation to the transfer of responsibility for equality, disability, integration and human rights from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, my Department is continuing to liaise with the relevant Departments on this matter. I expect the formal transfer of these functions and consequent administrative and other arrangements arising on foot of the transfer of responsibilities to be finalised shortly.

The Deputies will also be aware that the changes in Departmental functions announced by the Taoiseach will have an effect on the Estimates of the Departments involved, including my own Department, and officials are currently liaising with the relevant Departments in relation to the transfer of relevant programme expenditure from one Department to another. All such transfers of funds will be carried out strictly on an Exchequer-neutral basis. Staff, and related administrative costs, will also be transferred between Departments, again on an Exchequer-neutral basis.

In relation to the specific query regarding printing, no such costs have arisen as the title of my Department has not formally changed as yet. Against this background, Deputies will appreciate that at present it is not possible to provide details in relation to costs arising as a result of the recent changes. It is my intention that all stationery currently held by my Department will be used to the greatest extent feasible. I have also directed my officials to ensure that any costs arising due to the name change of my Department are kept to a minimum and met from within existing resources.