asked the Minister for the Public Service whether he believes that the present arrangements and structure of Government Departments are those most appropriate to modern needs and demands; and whether he proposes any major review in this area, in view of the fact that this essential structure has remained virtually unchanged since the foundation of the State.
Written Answers. - Structure of Government Departments.
9.
The allocation of functions to, and the organisation of, Government departments are continuously under review. The White Paper on the Public Service, Serving the Country Better, was laid before each House of the Oireachtas in September 1985. In the White Paper, the Government announced that where Departments have a sufficiently large volume of purely executive work, Ministers will be enabled by legislation to transfer such work to separate offices — which will have full responsibility for discharging it effectively. The first such executive office to be established following this decision will be the Social Welfare Services Office. The intention to establish this office was announced by the Minister for Social Welfare last November. The Public Service Development Bill, which will be introduced shortly, will provide a legislative basis for the making of the necessary orders for this purpose.
It was also announced in the White Paper that the Minister for the Public Service, in consultation with any other Minister concerned, will examine areas of overlap and duplication in the public service and advise the Government accordingly. The necessary legislative powers to enable the Minister for the Public Service to discharge this function effectively will be provided for in the Public Service Development Bill.