Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the options he will consider to reduce spending in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25443/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Finance has previously indicated that a €3 billion adjustment in spending will be required in 2011 to continue the process of stabilising the public finances.

In this context, I am currently reviewing all programme areas under my Department's remit to identify any potential expenditure reductions that might contribute to the Minister for Finance's target. The outcome of this review will be a matter for consideration by the Government in the context of formulating the 2011 Estimates.

The Deputy may be aware that significant administrative savings have already been achieved across my Department and its agencies since 2008. Prior to the transfer of certain functions between my Department and the Department of Education and Skills on 1st May, my Department's allocation for this year reflected pay and associated savings of €34.9 million compared to the 2009 allocation.

I will continue to drive for efficiencies and cost savings through the use of collective procurement and shared services arrangements for my Department and agencies.

For example, my Department already provides shared payroll services to a number of agencies under its remit.

Furthermore, Forfás provides certain shared services to IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, and the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government. These shared services are provided in areas where Forfás can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these services. These include aspects of financial and accounting services, human resources, pensions, facilities, property management and management of the FOI network for the enterprise Agencies and some other public bodies.

In addition, my Department has engaged in a series of initiatives designed to reduce energy costs. In recent years, and in consultation with the Office of Public Works and other Government Departments, we have switched electricity suppliers which has resulted in substantial savings. A number of the buildings occupied by the Department have participated in an energy saving programme which has resulted in additional savings of between 5% and 10% in electricity charges in those buildings and I am proposing to extend this initiative to other buildings of the Department.

Following on from the successful cost saving initiative driven by me in the Education sector, I have also asked my officials to examine the possibility of shared procurement between my Department and relevant agencies for electricity and other services. This is intended to increase our bargaining power and securing the best possible value for taxpayers money.