Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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134. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to reduce the size of his Department; if he will provide details of the staffing allocation and organisational structure of his Department in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39131/13]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Department of the Taoiseach has been substantially restructured in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government including the following changes:

- in 2011, 27 staff and functions relating to public service reform transferred from the Department to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform;

- a new Programme for Government Office and a new Office of the Tánaiste were established from within existing resources;

- a new integrated European Affairs Division has been established which involved the transfer of 18 staff and functions from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Department;

- a new Cabinet Committee structure has been established, including the Economic Management Council;

- a number of staff have been seconded from NESC and Forfás, and staff have been recruited as part of the Government Economic and Evaluation Service, to enhance the Department's policy analysis capacity.

As a result of these changes, and further administrative efficiencies, the Department has reduced its size from (whole time equivalent) 191 staff in 2010 to 182 staff currently. There were 212 staff serving in the Department in 2008 - reduction of 10% notwithstanding the transfer of the EU Division from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

My Department is now engaged in the following core activities:

- the executive functions of the Taoiseach and the Government;

- the Government Secretariat,

- my Private Office and the offices of the Government Chief Whip and the Minister of State for European Affairs;

- the Office of the Tánaiste;

- the Government Press Office;

- support for me in carrying out my duties as Head of Government, including in relation to the Oireachtas, Constitutional issues, Protocol, the European Council, the North/South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council;

- engaging with the formulation and implementation of government policy, mainly through the system of Cabinet Committees, including the Economic Management Council, Senior Officials Groups and the new Programme for Government Office;

- Providing briefing and advice for me on the full range of domestic policy issues and on international affairs;

- Supporting the Government and I in the formulation and implementation of EU policy, including the coordination of EU policy interests across the whole of Government; and

- delivering support services through Corporate Affairs Division [HR, Finance, IT and other services].