Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

303. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform The estimated running costs for each Department in 2015 compared to the year 2010; if savings have been made; the origin of such savings, such as administrative savings and reduction in head count; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34340/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is a comprehensive set of data published each year in the Revised Estimates for Public Services detailing the running costs of Votes.  The information the Deputy is seeking is contained in Appendix 5 and 6 of the publications.  The Deputy may also be interested to know that my Department publishes a wide ranging set of data on voted expenditure which is available at .  

The economic crisis had a profound impact on the public finances. The fiscal adjustment implemented in order that Ireland could successfully exit the EU-IMF Programme of Support and return sustainability to our public finances required significant expenditure reductions. Gross voted expenditure was reduced from its peak of just over €63 billion in 2009 to €54 billion in 2014.

In implementing expenditure reductions, the Government's priority was to ensure that a targeted approach was adopted in order to protect key public services and social supports to the greatest extent possible at a time of increasing demand. The key sectors of Health, Education and Social Protection were prioritised during this period, and in 2015 these three areas between them account for some 80% of the Government's gross voted current spending.

Public Service Reform was a key element of the Government's response to the crisis and continues to be an essential part of our strategy for recovery.  The reforms we have implemented have enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of necessary reductions in staff numbers and budgets, and at a time of increased demand for public services. 

Significant progress has been made since the publication of the Government's first Public Service Reform Plan in 2011.  Staff numbers have been reduced by around 10% since 2008 and the pay-bill has been reduced by over 20%.  Other reforms include changes to terms and conditions such as additional working hoursand reduced sick leave entitlements.  In addition to the reduced cost of the Public Service and improved productivity, reform is also delivering benefits across a range of specific areas such as digital government, shared services, procurement reform and property management.