Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps taken to date on the implementation of the Croke Park agreement; the implementation plans for 2011; the specific measures which will be taken at local government level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1253/11]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Public Service Agreement (Croke Park Agreement) provides a sustainable framework to manage the provision and delivery of our essential public services in a period of unprecedented pressure on public resources. In this regard, the Exchequer Pay Bill will be approximately 8% less in 2010 over 2009 while the number of public servants has reduced by almost 12,000 since March 09, resulting in significant savings in the public service paybill. Further savings targets for 2011 of €310m, and a reduction in numbers to 301,000 as set out in the Budget Estimates, now form part of the allocation for each Department and Agency over the coming year. The delivery of the required savings, including payroll savings, will be monitored closely, including by reference to the implementation of the Croke Park Agreement.

Specific measures planned for the Local Government sector are included in the Action Plan for that sector which is published on the website of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Implementation Body for the Agreement requested the various sectors, including the Local Government sector, in December last to revise their Action Plans to take account of the targets in the National Recovery Plan and the allocations made under Budget 2011. These revised plans are due to be submitted this week. The Implementation Body will be seeking to ensure that the plans deliver the necessary savings and efficiencies to meet the Government's requirements under the National Recovery Plan.