Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 60: To ask the Taoiseach if any savings have been made as a result of the collapse of social partnership networks and bodies and reductions in related expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20595/11]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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1While it is clear that the traditional model of formal agreement with the Social Partners is not appropriate to the current circumstances and issues we face, it is not correct to say that Social Partnership has collapsed. The Government continues to value dialogue with the social partners, and recognises the contribution that social dialogue can make to maximising common understanding across all sectors of society as we respond to the challenges facing the country.

Social dialogue continues to take place in different ways and through different fora. In particular, the National Economic and Social Council, which comes under the remit of my Department, provides a forum for consideration of strategic economic and social issues.

My Department has traditionally had limited expenditure relating to Social Partnership and, as such, the changes in how Government engages with the social partners has not impacted significantly on my Department's expenditure.

However, to maximise both effectiveness and value for money, the work of National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) has been streamlined through absorbing the appropriate functions of the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) into the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). As a result, the 2011 Grant-in-Aid allocation to NESDO was reduced by 30% on 2010.