Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of agencies, bodies, boards, quangos or other entities, which are financed from, answerable to or established by his Department that have been abolished, merged or re-organised since this Government took office; the savings that have been realised since the changes were made; the level of staff reduction that has been achieved; if he will provide details of further agency reductions that he intends to pursue in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57882/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I presume that the Deputy is referring to Government agencies falling under the remit of my Department. The term "quango" is an acronym which stands for quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations. No non-governmental organisations fall under the remit of my Department.

As the Deputy is aware, the radical streamlining of State bodies is a key deliverable of the Public Service Reform Plan, published in November 2011. This streamlining includes the rationalisation of 48 bodies by the end of 2012, as well as the critical review of a further 46 bodies to take place by the end of June 2012. Details of the bodies involved are set out in Appendices IIa and IIb of the Plan which can be found at: .

On 31 October 2012, my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, announced an update in relation to the programme of rationalisation of State bodies. While these rationalisations will deliver savings to the taxpayer, the real benefits lie in the simplification of the administrative landscape, thereby ensuring greater accountability, less duplication of effort and more transparent lines of responsibility of public servants. It is not possible at this time to specify anticipated savings on an individual State body basis. However, the Public Service Reform Plan indicated that across the public service as a whole, savings of 20 million euro in enhanced service efficiencies and value-for-money are envisaged from the rationalisation programme.

With regard to the specific details now sought I wish to inform the Deputy that the information he requested is set out below. Unfortunately, it was not possible to include a response from An Garda Síochána in the timeframe allowed. As soon as this information becomes available, it will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Equality Tribunal: Administrative responsibility for the Equality Tribunal transferred from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with effect from 1 January 2013, as part of the wider rationalisation of the industrial relations/employee rights institutions - Labour Court, Labour Relations Commission, Employee Appeals Tribunal, National Employment Rights Authority and Equality Tribunal - into single Workplace Relations Service. This overall rationalisation of industrial relations institutions is being led by my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. While this rationalisation will deliver savings to the taxpayer, the real benefits lie in the simplification of the administrative landscape, thereby ensuring greater accountability, less duplication of effort and more transparent lines of access to redress for people who consider their rights have been infringed.

Forensic Science Laboratory: The Government has decided to place the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) within the ambit of the State Laboratory as a merger is not possible at this time for reasons primarily related to the separate geographical locations of both laboratories and the lack of overlap in their functional operations. The budget and staff resources of the FSL will not be affected by this decision as the agency will remain under the auspices of my Department due to the existing strong synergies with other facets of the criminal justice system. However, it is intended that the Government decision will facilitate and encourage closer co-operation between the laboratories as well as the pursuit of savings in areas such as professional training and equipment purchase.

Independent International Commission on Decommissioning: The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) was responsible for overseeing the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. It was established by an agreement between the Irish and British Governments, signed on 26 August 1997, and by legislation enacted in the two jurisdictions. It was dissolved on 31 March 2011. The outturn for the Commission's last full year of operation 2010 was €594,000.

Independent Monitoring Commission: The Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) was responsible for monitoring and reporting on paramilitary activity across Ireland and also for monitoring the security normalisation measures undertaken by the British Government in the North. It was dissolved on 31 March 2011. The outturn for the Commission's last full year of operation 2010 was €426,000.

Internet Safety Advisory Council: The Internet Safety Advisory Council was appointed by the Minister for Justice with effect from 1 December 2008. It was not statutory or regulatory but it was advisory. The mandate for the Internet Safety Advisory Council expired on 30 November 2011. The Chair of the Internet Safety Advisory Council received remuneration of €8,978 per year. The Internet Safety Advisory Committee succeeded the previous Internet Safety Advisory Council and it held its first meeting on 12 April 2012. The Chair does not receive any remuneration.

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission: Preparations to establish the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, which will replace the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority, are at a very advanced stage and I hope to be in a position to make a further announcement in relation to the appointment of the new Commission soon. While there will be administrative efficiencies and savings from the merger, the two existing bodies have suffered disproportionate cuts in the past and as I have already indicated, the cash savings will remain with the new Commission to support its core work. In relation to staffing, the new Commission will as a priority be invited to undertake a staffing review and submit a business case for any additional resources it considers necessary to fulfil its mandate.

National Disability Strategy Implementation Group: On 30 November, 2011 the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG) was established and is chaired by Minister of State Deputy, Kathleen Lynch. This group replaces the former National Disability Strategy Stakeholder Monitoring Group (NDSSMG). Its function is to provide a forum under the leadership of the Minister within which Government officials and disability stakeholders can work together, to guide the development of a National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan and to collaborate on its implementation including advising on the resolution of implementation difficulties.

Prisons Authority Interim Board: The Prisons Authority Interim Board was abolished on 26 July, 2011. The amount saved is in excess of €100,000 per annum.

Prison Visiting Committees:The Government has approved the drafting of a General Scheme of an Inspection of Places of Detention Bill, which will include provisions to make visiting committees more effective, while they continue their role of visiting prisons, meeting with prisoners and liaising on their behalf with prison authorities. A link will be established between the visiting committees and the Inspector of Prisons. As part of these plans, it is intended to expand the role of the Inspector of Prisons. Under the proposed arrangements, it is my intention that visiting committees would be able to report any urgent or major matter to the Inspector at any time. Subject to competing legislative priorities, it is expected that the General Scheme will be published by the end of the year. When work on preparation of the General Scheme has been completed, I will be seeking Government approval for its publication to facilitate a consultation process in advance of drafting and publication of the Bill.

Property Registration Authority: A proposal has been made to merge the Valuation Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Property Registration Authority. Following the Government approval of the recommendation of the Critical Review on this proposal, work is underway to advance this merger.

Reception and Integration Agency, Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and Refugee Appeals Tribunal: Consolidation of refugee structures will be addressed through the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill. The Bill will provide for the Office of the Refugee Applications Commission (ORAC) to be subsumed into INIS - the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. The Bill will also provide for the replacement of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal with the new Protection Review Tribunal.