Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of agencies, authorities and other bodies coming within the Department's remit that operate independent payroll systems and the reason such a function could not be provided by the Department. [6800/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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There are 20 bodies under the aegis of the Department, mainly non-commercial, undertaking quasi-judicial/ regulatory, advisory and developmental functions. These bodies are of varying size and structure. There is an active consolidation programme in train that is reducing this number by six.

Day-to-day operations, including payroll and other administrative systems, are a matter for the individual organisations concerned. At present each of the bodies under my aegis has an independent payroll system in place. In the context of maximising the opportunities for efficiencies and standardising administrative practices, my Department is currently examining alternative options for the provision of support services such as payroll services, including opportunities for shared service arrangements. This is a specific commitment contained in my Department's Action Plan for the implementation of measures under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014.