Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the tangible results that have been delivered in his Department through the implementation of the Croke Park Agreement; the implementation plan in place in his Department to ensure reforms envisaged through this agreement are delivered on; if he is satisfied with the pace of reform in his Department and the agencies under his remit; the further reforms the taxpayer and Irish citizens may expect to witness in the running of his Department and its agencies through the public sector reform agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31581/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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nister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Mr. Bruton) I can advise the Deputy that the following documents are available on my Department's website at: www.djei.ie :

· Details of the Public Service Implementation Plan to 2014 for my Department, its Offices and Agencies, and

· Progress Report and associated Savings Report for the period April 2011 to March 2012.

I would like to draw the Deputy's attention in particular to some key areas in which progress has been made including the adoption in full by my Department of electronic payments to staff in respect of payroll and travel claims; modernisation of processes at the Companies Registration Office through the development of innovative e-filing solutions to assist businesses to file and make returns; the development of the Health and Safety Authority's "Taking Care of Business Process", which provides businesses with online tools to assist with the preparation of risk assessment and safety statements thus making it easier and cheaper for businesses to comply with legal requirements under health and safety legislation. In total, my Department, its Offices and Agencies reported sustainable savings of €1.8m for the period April 2011 to March 2012 in relation to initiatives introduced under the Croke Park Agreement.

Other reforms to be delivered under my Department's Integrated Reform Delivery Plan include the streamlining of the institutions and the processes of the four Employment Rights bodies that come within my Department's aegis and, the planned further integration of the Equality Tribunal. Already, a number of initiatives have been introduced under this project such as the launch of a single complaint form to replace the 30 forms previously in use, the development of a single portal that provides information on all areas of employment rights and, the trialing of an early dispute resolution service.

Other salient developments in process include the intention to merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority, to establish a "one-stop-shop" for micro-enterprises through the dissolution of the existing City and County Enterprises Boards (CEB's) and the formation of Local Enterprise Offices (LEO's), the restructuring the State Airports and Shannon Development and the re-alignment of tourism and enterprise support functions in the region.

I am satisfied with the pace of delivery of these reforms to date, which have and are producing tangible benefits for the customers of the Department, its Offices and Agencies. I am determined to ensure continued reform where possible across all areas of my Department's remit.