Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the levels of savings achieved through reform across the public sector has been quantified on an annual basis in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48467/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which reform, as a component in economic strategy, has achieved savings in line with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48469/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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266. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which efficiency and cost effective targets continue to be met throughout the public sector; the extent to which this has benefitted the Irish economy in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48472/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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267. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will indicate by each Department, the extent to which costs have been reduced under the separate headings of public expenditure reduction and/or public sector reform in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48473/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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268. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any particular Department and respective bodies under its aegis are expected to improve their performance in respect of savings, cost-cutting or reform targets over the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48474/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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269. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Government Departments or bodies under their aegis that have shown the least progress in terms of public sector reform in the past four years; the way this compares with those Departments that have achieved most in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48475/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 263 and 266 to 269, inclusive, together.

As set out in the Government's Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016, Public Service Reform has been, and will continue to be, a key element of the Government's overall recovery strategy.  The Reform Plan and Progress Reports which set out the considerable progress that has been made can be seen at.

Overall, from 2009 to 2013, there was a reduction in gross voted expenditure of 14.5%, from €63.9 billion to €54.6 billion.  At the end of last year, Ireland successfully exited the EU-IMF Programme with renewed fiscal credibility and access to international lending markets.  Our success in returning the public finances to a more sustainable position is a result of the difficult but necessary decisions we have taken and the extensive reforms that we have implemented. 

As the Deputy will be aware, staff numbers have been reduced by around 32,000 or 10% since 2008, and the pay-bill was reduced from €17.5 billion in 2009 to €14.1 billion in 2013, including the pension related deduction.  Our programme of Public Service Reform has delivered significant efficiencies and increased productivity.  It has also enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of the necessary reduction in staff numbers and budgets, while meeting increased demand for public services.

The Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 has a strong focus on service improvement and the delivery of improved outcomes for service users.  In addition, it maintains the emphasis on efficiency measures which was a key element of our first Reform Plan.  Implementation of the reforms set out in the overall Reform Plan and in Departmental / Sectoral Integrated Reform Delivery Plans, including measures under the Haddington Road Agreement, will facilitate ongoing cost savings in the coming years.  

Examples of measures to reduce costs include reforms in the areas of public procurement, shared services, alternative models of service delivery, ICT / digital government and property management.  A core principle of the Reform Plan is to use some of the 'reform dividend' from increased efficiency to invest in new or improved services.  Savings made have already facilitated the recruitment of extra staff in key front-line public services.

Overall, I am satisfied with the progress that has been made on Public Service Reform.  Our achievements to date and plans for further reforms are well regarded internationally, though I am very conscious that we need to maintain a strong focus on the delivery of reform to ensure that we have a sustainable Public Service.  To this end, my Department will continue to work with all Departments and Offices, and particularly with the larger sectors, to ensure that services are delivered efficiently and that outcomes for services users are improved.  Finally, it is important to acknowledge that the level of reform we have delivered could not have happened without the efforts and commitment of our public servants and I commend them for their contribution to date.