Written answers
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Departmental Expenditure
10:00 am
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the elements of the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes that have been implemented to date by his Department; his plans to implement any aspects of the plan in the future; if the overall plan has been assessed by his Department; and if so, his views on the benefits of the plans. [28109/10]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The table shows the current status of proposals in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes relating to my Department and to bodies and agencies under its remit. As the Deputy is aware the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes outlined a wide range of proposals across all Departments, a number of which, if agreed to proceed, can only be achieved through restructuring over a number of years. The consideration of the proposals for my Department and the Agencies under its aegis is ongoing and as the table shows, progress has been made in relation to certain proposals. In addition, my Department has committed to current expenditure savings amounting to €13 million over the 2009 Estimate in 2010.
Gross current expenditure in 2010 for my Department will be 3% below the 2009 outturn and expenditure on the Department's pay bill will be some 9% below the 2009 outturn. The details of the programme changes that are being made by my Department in order to achieve these savings for 2010 are as set out on pages E. 64 and E. 65 of the 2010 Estimates for Public Services and Summary Public Capital Programme.
| Savings outlined in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes | |
| Merge DHDA with EI/IDA | Review of DHDA currently underway |
| Merge ComReg with BAI | Not implemented |
| Transfer IFCO into BAI | Target date of end of year for implementation |
| Partially fund TG4 from TV Licence | Not included in Budget 2010 but direct Exchequer subvention to TG4 reduced by €2.083 million |
| Terminate DCENR/SEI energy awareness programmes | Separate budget for Energy Efficiency Awareness eliminated in Budget 2010 (€0.894 million saving) |
| Rationalise multiplicity of energy efficiency schemes run by SEI | Being rationalised in the context of the multi-annual National Retrofit Programme announced in Budget 2010 |
| Transfer energy research funding to new single funding stream for all research | Energy research function retained |
| Review operations of Bord na Móna to achieve optimal value | Will be done on an ongoing basis – any potential savings arising would not accrue to the Exchequer |
| Merge OSi and the Valuation Office with the PRA | Not implemented |
| Secure efficiencies/increased revenue worth 20% of GSI's operating costs | Value for Money Review of GSI underway to secure efficiencies/increased revenue |
| Secure additional savings from the merger of the regional fisheries boards | Merger will take place in 2010 and direct Exchequer funding for Inland Fisheries reduced by €3.145 million |
| Transfer responsibility for Inland Fisheries from DCENR to DEHLG | Not implemented |
| Reduce DCENR authorised number of civil servants by 30 posts | DCENR has achieved target |
| Reduce DCENR agency staff by 76 | Under ongoing consideration; new functions in some Agencies will impact on target |
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