Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of State agencies that have been rationalised, merged or abolished since 2011, the savings of public moneys achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1915/16]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I refer the Deputy to the Report on the Implementation of the Agency Rationalisation Programme which is published on my Department's web site.  The Report provides information on what has been achieved in reducing the number of state bodies as set out in the 2011 Public Service Reform Plan, including savings.

The Report published in December 2014, based on information provided by Government Departments, showed that measures involving more than 90 percent of the bodies to be rationalised and merged were completed.  The Report finds as a result of these measures, there were 170 fewer State Bodies at the end of 2014 than in 2011, with a further 11 due to go.  The current position, as of January 2016, is that there are 176 fewer bodies, with a further 5 outstanding.

The Report also shows that recurring annual savings of over €15 million were accruing to Central Government, with a further €2.8m in once-off revenue arising from the disposal of property.  Further annual savings of the order of €9m will be achieved by 2018, as the full year efficiency savings from some of the measures are realised.  It is also important to note that these figures refer to direct Exchequer savings.  The Report showed that net savings worth some €40 million will accrue annually to the Local Authority sector on foot of the reform and rationalisation measures in Local Authority structures, which also forms part of the overall rationalisation programme.  

The remaining measures to be implemented are highlighted in italics in Appendix 2 of the Report - several of which have since being completed including the merger of the Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority into Sport Ireland and the substantial reform of the four IR bodies into a single Workplace Relations Commission.     

Implementation of those measures outstanding are well advanced and, where possible, arrangements have been put in place on an administrative basis prior to enabling legislation being enacted - as in the case of the merger of the OSI, Valuation Office and Property Registration Authority into the single new body dealing with property and land administration,  known as Táilte Eireann.