Written answers

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

State Agencies

8:00 pm

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of quangos, quasi autonomous non-governmental organisations, which are funded partially or wholly, directly or indirectly, by his Department that have been abolished, merged, or reduced in scale since the formation of the Government; the amount that has been saved as a result and the number by which personnel numbers have been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29540/12]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In the context of the Government's Programme of Public Sector Reform including rationalisation of the number of State Agencies and Bodies, there are a number of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that are scheduled to be reviewed under that Programme. Details of the current status of the Bodies under review, including the staff and financial savings anticipated, are set out in the following table.

Name of Body / OrganisationCurrent StatusSavings/Reduction in Numbers
Competition Authority andNational Consumer AgencyAs both agencies were established under statute, it is necessary to give effect to the newly merged body by way of primary legislation. Government approved the draft Heads of a Bill in July 2011 and these were sent to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.Initial set-up costs will be incurred.No savings in whole-time-equivalent (WTE) numbers.
Labour CourtNational Employment Rights AuthorityLabour Relations CommissionEmployment Appeals TribunalEquality TribunalIn July 2011, the intention to streamline the work of five bodies currently dealing with employment disputes in the workplace into a two-tier structure was announced. Four of the existing bodies – the Employment Appeals Tribunal, the National Employment Rights Authority, the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court – are currently within the remit of the Department. One – the Equality Tribunal – is currently within the remit of the Minister for Justice and Equality.In terms of building the new two tier-model a number of important priority actions that were identified have been successfully delivered, including the development of a:· Single Contact PortalA new single contact portal called "Workplace Relations Customer Services" is fully operational since the beginning of 2012 and provides a single point of entry into the system for employment rights and industrial relations information.· Single Complaint FormA Single Complaint Form that deals with over 100 first instance complaints was launched on the 4th of January 2012 replacing 30 forms previously in use.· Workplace Relations WebsiteThe new workplace relations website www.workplacerelations.ie went live on 4th January 2012. This website brings together, in one place, information on all aspects of employment rights and industrial relations.· Early Resolution ServiceDelivery of a pilot Early Resolution Service has commenced. This service will assist parties to a dispute to resolve the issue themselves with the assistance of a Case Resolution Officer.LegislationWork has commenced on the drafting of a Workplace Relations Bill to give effect to the new structure. This will see the number of bodies reduced from the current five to two.BlueprintA blueprint document was launched on 5th April setting out a clear path for the delivery of the remainder of the Reform Programme.The total annual cost of the State's Workplace Relations Services amounted to some €20m in 2010. It is expected that significant savings, in terms of both reductions in staff numbers and increased efficiency and productivity, will be generated by the end of 2013 by which time the majority of the Workplace Relations Reform Programme will have been implemented. Work has commenced on identifying and capturing on-going pay and non-pay savings and it is expected that definitive information in this regard will be available in Qtr 3 of 2012.
County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs)Government has approved the establishment of a new "one-stop-shop" micro-enterprise support structure through the dissolution of the existing CEBs and the formation of Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). An implementation Working Group has been set up under the auspices of the Department to progress the matter and a first meeting of the Group has been held.In conjunction with this, the Department is seeking formal advice from the Office of the AG regarding appropriate legislation.It is to be expected that over time there will be Current savings resulting from the removal of costs associated with the individual Company status of each CEB, use of shared services, reduced rental costs associated with the relocation of some offices etc. However initial direct savings will be modest as it could take some years to realise these savings due to existing leasing arrangements etc.
ForfásAn Implementation Group has been established to progress a proposal for the integration of Forfás with the Department.Amalgamation will improve efficiencies/ synergies between the Department and Forfás, but will not lead to immediate financial savings. Potential initial costs of amalgamation (e.g. ensuring compatibility of IT systems, etc.) need to be explored by the Implementation Group.Amalgamation of Forfás with DJEI will facilitate improvements in the use of existing resources – the objective is not driven by achieving reductions in WTEs. In any event, the scope for further reduction is severely limited following departure of staff of retirement age in February.
Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN)The EGFSN reports to both the Minister for Education & Skills and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. It is supported by Forfás. Discussions on the future role of the EGFSN are progressing and the issue will be finalised by end June 2012.
Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (ASCTI)The role of the ASCTI is being reviewed in the context of the amalgamation of Forfás into the Department and appropriate arrangements for supporting the Research Prioritisation Exercise.
National Competitiveness Council (NCC)The position of the NCC has been reviewed and the view is that the NCC should continue as an independent body, but with a renewed mandate that will produce improved outputs. Proposals for the renewed mandate to the NCC will be presented shortly.There would be no notable financial savings to be achieved by the abolition of the NCC. The Council will continue to be supported by the Department / Forfás.
Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the GovernmentThe contract of the current Chief Scientific Adviser will expire on 31st August 2012. The future of the Office will be determined at that point.
Shannon DevelopmentWith the Minister for Transport and Sport an announcement on the formation of a Steering Group and two taskforces to oversee proposals regarding the restructuring of Shannon Airport and Shannon Development was made recently. The Steering Group will report back to cabinet by year end. As part of its work, the Group will also address issues relating to the re-alignment of tourism functions in the region currently carried out by Shannon Development.
Companies Registration Office and theOffice of the Registrar of Friendly SocietiesWorking Group established and a draft Report is due by the end of June 2012.

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