I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 189 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, I am on record regarding my concerns in relation to the disproportionate cuts made to the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission in the past. I consider the fact that the provision for 2013 in the budget for the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission of €4.409m is a significant achievement given the current financial pressures on the public purse. This level of funding maintains the combined 2012 level of Exchequer grant-in-aid funding of both bodies and demonstrates the Government's strong commitment to strengthening our institutional framework for promotion and and protection of human rights and equality.
As part of the merger of both bodies, bringing together and integrating two separate staff streams, the new Commission will as a priority task undertake a review of staffing needs and prepare a business case for any essential additional staff. Again, I am on record as saying this will have funding implications, but will be considered as favourably as possible even in the currently extremely difficult climate. Pending my being able to make an announcement in relation to appointments to the new Commission, I do not consider that it would be helpful to comment on recent media speculation.
The following table outlines the position with regard to funding and staffing from 2009 to date.
TABLE
|
Equality Authority
|
Staff
|
Human Rights Commission
|
Staff
|
IHREC
|
2009
|
€3.333m
|
50.80
|
€1.596m
|
17
|
|
2010
|
€3.200m
|
34.85
|
€1.532m
|
15
|
|
2011
|
€3.057m
|
33.65
|
€1.463m
|
11
|
|
2012
|
€2.984m
|
35.65
|
€1.425m
|
10
|
|
2013
|
|
28.30
|
|
6
|
€4.409m
|