Written answers
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Departmental Expenditure
5:00 pm
Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources which recommendations contained in the McCarthy report pertain to his Department; the detail of each and proposed savings relating to his Department; which of these have been implemented to date and the expected savings to be achieved on each of these in one calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36979/10]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The table below shows the recommendations contained in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (McCarthy Report) which pertain to my Department and to the Agencies under its remit and the current status of said recommendations about which the Deputy is inquiring. 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 by Government 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.
| Recommendations | Current Status/Savings |
| Merge DHDA with EI/IDA | Review of DHDA currently underway |
| Merge ComReg with BAI | Not implemented |
| Transfer IFCO into BAI | Under consideration |
| Partially fund TG4 from TV Licence | Not included in Budget 2010 but direct Exchequer subvention to TG4 reduced by €2.083 million |
| Terminate DCENR/SEAI 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 SEAI | 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 took place with effect from 1 July 2010 and direct Exchequer funding for Inland Fisheries reduced by €3.369 million compared to the 2009 Estimate |
| 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 | Numbers to be reduced by 79 by end 2012 under Employment Control Framework agreed with Department of Finance |
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