Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of agencies, authorities, boards, committee s, working groups, tribunals, council services, task forces, agencies or other quangos set up by his Department since February 2011; the number abolished since then; the extra cost of quangos which were established; the savings from the abolition of quangos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37239/12]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of State bodies that have been set up since 9 March 2011; the rationale behind these decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39992/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 904 and 941 together.

No State bodies/agencies have been set up from within my Department's Vote Group since my Department was established on 2 June 2011. Deputies will be aware, however, that on foot of rationalisation measures announced in the Public Service Reform Plan on 17 November 2011, a number of bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group have been identified for amalgamations/mergers or critical review. Reports in this regard have been submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and are currently being assessed. I anticipate that they will be considered by Government in due course.

As the Deputies will also be aware, the priorities set out in the Programme for Government for the rationalisation of State agencies provide that such rationalisation must be cost effective and lead to a more transparent, accountable and efficient public service. However, it is not possible at this stage to outline projected savings for each body to be rationalised.

With regard to other committees, etc, referred to in the Deputies' Questions, I am assuming that it is not intended that routine internal committees and working groups, established within my Department to support the delivery of its goals, be included. Other relevant committees, groups, etc, that have been established since 2 June 2011, are listed below.

The Peatlands Council, which was established to assist in responding in a strategic way to the provisions of the EU Habitats Directive, which require Ireland to protect and conserve important peatland habitats. Inter-Departmental Committee to examine the feasibility of the implementation of the Creative Capital Report – Building Ireland’s Audiovisual Creative Economy . Working Group to review the operation of Part IV (Architectural Heritage) of the Planning and Development Act 2000. High-Level Steering Group and the Biodiversity Working Group under the National Biodiversity Plan. Inter-Departmental Group on 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. Ulster Canal Inter-Agency Group to examine ways to help advance the Ulster Canal Project, including reviewing the timeframe for the project.

It may be noted that a cross-representative advisory/working group set up in 2011 to consult across the arts sector and recommend actionable steps in the area of philanthropy in relation to the arts has submitted its report and is no longer in operation. No other groups of the nature referred to were abolished since the establishment of my Department.