Departmental Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Questions (113, 119, 120, 141)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

113. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of all State agencies under his aegis; and the total annual cost of each agency to the Exchequer. [36960/12]

Dara Calleary

Question:

119. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of agencies, authorities, boards, committees, working groups, tribunals, council services, task forces, agencies or other quangos set up by his Department since February 2011; the number abolished since then; the extra cost of quangos which were established; the savings from the abolition of quangos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37252/12]

Dara Calleary

Question:

120. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the estimated cost of each quango in his Department; the amount expected to be saved from the mergers of quangos in his Department; the basis for this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37268/12]

Seán Fleming

Question:

141. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the number of State bodies that have been set up since 9 March 2011; the rationale behind these decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40002/12]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 119, 120 and 141 together.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only agency under the aegis of my Department. It was established under the NESDO Act 2006 and is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). NESDO has already completed a substantial restructuring programme. On 1 April 2010, two of its constituent bodies, the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) were dissolved. This led to substantial savings on both pay and non-pay expenditure, mainly as a result of reduced accommodation, rent, staffing levels and administrative costs. The 2012 Estimate for NESDO is €2,220,000. This is a reduction of over €1.1m on 2010.

My Department also rationalised the work and achieved substantial savings in relation to three other bodies which were formerly within its remit in recent years. The total separate programme funding for the work of the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership and the Active Citizenship Office ceased in 2009. The separate Offices in these areas have been discontinued which has given rise to savings in my Department’s Estimates of approximately €356,000 per annum. The National Forum on Europe was closed in 2009 which also gave rise to savings in the Estimates of €360,000.

The only working groups set up by my Department since February 2011 are: the China Follow-Up Group, which was established following my visit to China in March 2012; and the Communications Working Group, established earlier this year to ensure a coordinated approach to promoting Ireland’s international reputation. Both of these interdepartmental groups comprise officials from across Government Departments and agencies. Meetings are chaired by officials from my Department.