Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Finance the arrangements that will be in place to assist him in relation to the public expenditure elements of budget preparations. [5198/11]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Finance the role to be played by the sectoral policy division of his Department in the development of his budgetary policies. [5376/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 68 together.

As part of the restructuring of Government Departments, the former Sectoral Policy Division of the Department of Finance is transferring into the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. While the operational and organisational details are now being finalised, the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform will oversee and manage the development of Government expenditure policy, and monitor and supervise the spending undertaken by other Government Departments.

Of course, the development of policy on public expenditure is a major component of overall budgetary strategy, and as such I will be working closely with the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, both on an ongoing bilateral basis and in the context of the Government Economic Management Council. Extensive liaison will continue between the officials of our respective Departments, to ensure that the budget process continues to be managed smoothly and efficiently, taking account of this Government's budgetary reform agenda.