Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2008
403 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and names of organisations or agencies under his auspices which have been amalgamated or eliminated due to budgetary measures; the estimated savings in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42216/08]
View answerI would refer to Deputy to my answers to questions numbers 90 and 128 on the 18th November 2008. As outlined in that answer, the functions and funding of Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge transferred to Foras na Gaeilge with effect from 1 January 2008 in accordance with a decision made by the North South Ministerial Council in 2007 and in order to secure good practice and value for money. The Council also decided at its meeting on 4 July 2008 that the functions, staffing and funding of Colmcille in Ireland should transfer to Foras na Gaeilge and arrangements to that end are in hand. Both these decisions were taken to ensure a more coherent organisational context and improved corporate governance for these language initiatives, rather than to save money. While some savings on administrative expenses are expected, the allocation for each initiative is not being reduced.
As previously mentioned, I am not in a position to comment on any specific future plans at this stage. For completeness, I should also mention that the Charities Bill 2007, which was passed by Dáil Éireann on 5th November 2008, provides for the dissolution of the Office of Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland. The Bill further provides that the Office of Commissioners will be replaced by a new Charities Regulatory Authority, which will take on the statutory functions of the Office of Commissioners, as well as having broader statutory regulatory functions relating to charities operating in the jurisdiction. Second Stage of the Bill in the Seanad is scheduled to commence on 26th November 2008.
