Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for 2010 arising from the additional responsibilities acquired by his Department following the change to departmental structure; the proportion of his Department's budget that will be allocated to pursuing those objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31360/10]

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs when it is expected that responsibility for the rural social scheme will transfer to the Department for Social Protection; if current responsibility for the administration of the RSS by agencies under his Department will remain under his Department's remit following that transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31361/10]

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount he anticipates that he will spend on converting Department titles on websites, headed paper, application forms, information booklets, wall charts and so on as a result of the recent changes in several Departments' titles; the length of time this will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31503/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 to 442, inclusive, together.

The Deputies will be aware that the transfer to my Department of responsibility for social inclusion policy and family policy from the Department of Social Protection and of responsibility for equality, integration, human rights and disability from the Department of Justice and Law Reform has now taken place. The title of my Department changed to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs with effect from 2 June 2010.

My plans for 2010 and for the coming period will be to progress the actions and commitments reflected in the Programme for Government and the Revised Programme for Government that relate to my functions and areas of responsibility. In this regard, work is in hands on the preparation of a new Statement of Strategy for my Department. In developing this new Statement of Strategy, my Department will take stock of the progress made to date on meeting Government Programme commitments and, against that background, I will decide how best to focus efforts over the coming period so as to achieve real results on the ground and deliver on our mandate. As a consequence of the additional responsibilities, my Department's gross financial allocation has increased by €47.36m in the current year. This represents 10.2% of my Department's gross financial allocation, as amended by the transfer of functions.

In relation to costs arising from my Department's change of title, it is not possible to quantify the amount in question at this time. I can confirm, however, that 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 are met from within existing resources. With regard to the transfer of responsibility for the Rural Social Scheme from my Department to the Department for Social Protection, the position is that Part 4 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 provides for the transfer of both the Rural Social Scheme and the Community Services Programme to the Department of Social Protection.

The Bill is currently before Seanad Éireann, having completed Second Stage on 6 July 2010, and I understand that it is planned to take Committee, Report and Final Stages on 13 July 2010, subject to agreement. Part 4 of the Bill will be subject to a commencement order. Following the transfer of the Rural Social Scheme to the Department of Social Protection, issues in relation to the future administration of that scheme will, of course, be a matter for that Department.