Forty six bodies were listed as candidates for critical review by end June 2012 in the Government’s Public Service Reform Plan, published in November 2011 by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). Three of the bodies fall under the aegis of my Department and were reviewed for possible abolition or merger. They were:
1. National Milk Agency (NMA) – to consider abolishing or merging with Bord Bia
2. Irish Marine Development Office – functions to be subsumed into the Marine Institute
3. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) – to consider subsuming certain functions into this Department. The marketing functions of BIM had been transferred to Bord Bia prior to the period in question.
A review group considered abolishing or merging the National Milk Agency with An Bord Bia. As the NMA does not receive any financial support from the State and its functions are quite distinct and separate from those of An Bord Bia. It has been decided not to proceed with this proposal. As regards BIM, the review group concluded that BIM should continue as a separate entity under the governance of the Department and this recommendation has been accepted. As the Irish Marine Development Office is already integrated with the Marine Institute from an administrative perspective no further action is required.
