My Department is currently monitoring the implementation of the agency rationalisation programme of the Public Service Reform Plan on a quarterly basis. The latest tables which detail this progress to end Quarter 1 2013 can be found at:
http://per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Public-Service-Rationalisation-Measures-end-Q1-2013.pdf
In summary, the tables show that significant progress has been made by Departments on the implementation of agreed rationalisation measures. To date, rationalisation and amalgamation measures involving 25 bodies have been fully implemented, and measures involving a further 83 bodies are at advanced legislative or administrative stages. Further measures, involving 107 bodies, were identified under a critical review process undertaken in 2012 as part of the Public Service Reform Plan. The majority of these measures will be implemented in 2013.
On the issue of savings, the Public Service Reform Plan aimed to secure €20 million in enhanced service efficiencies and value-for-money from the rationalisation programme, a target which will be achieved. The bulk of the savings are derived from a reduction in the number of public servants working in the merged entities.
From the outset we have maintained that the lasting and most important benefit from the rationalisation of State Bodies will be a less crowded administrative landscape resulting in greater democratic accountability, less duplication of effort and clearer lines of responsibility for the citizen. Moreover, the rationalisation programme needs to be understood as just one of a package of reform measures that will allow for the continued delivery of critical services against the backdrop of public service numbers. There will of course be other cash savings realised over time as organisations, financial systems, office accommodation etc. are rationalised into leaner, more coherent structures. These savings, some of which will be once-off, will be factored into the overall budgetary framework as they arise.
With regard to the Deputy’s question regarding the number of State Bodies that still exist, as I have stated before in previous PQs, there are three broad categories of State Bodies. Firstly, there are a number of Offices of State which typically are staffed by Civil Servants and have their own Vote for the allocation of public monies and which are within a Vote Group. A list of these bodies is set out in Appendix 1.
Secondly there are non-commercial State Bodies who are usually staffed by Public Servants and funded (or part funded) through a grant-in-aid from their parent Department. Details of such bodies are set out in the Detailed Expenditure Information on Non-Commercial State Agencies included in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2013, which can be found on my Department’s website at: http://per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/REVISED-ESTIMATES-VOLUME-2013-final.pdf.
Beyond that within each Department there are many other executive offices, divisions and directorates, operational or consultative groupings, task groups or forums that exist for various purposes that might or might not meet the definition of ‘entity’. Many of these groups are transient in nature in response to the needs and business pressures of particular Departments and sectors and details of which would not be held centrally. Questions on such bodies should be directed to the relevant Ministers. The internal organisation of my own Department is set out in Appendix 2.
Offices of State etc. with their own Vote
|
Vote
|
Service
|
|
1
|
PRESIDENT'S ESTABLISHMENT
|
|
3
|
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
|
|
4
|
CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE
|
|
5
|
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
|
|
6
|
CHIEF STATE SOLICITOR'S OFFICE
|
|
8
|
OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER & AUDITOR GENERAL
|
|
10
|
OFFICE OF THE APPEAL COMMISSIONERS
|
|
14
|
STATE LABORATORY
|
|
16
|
VALUATION OFFICE
|
|
17
|
PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS SERVICE
|
|
19
|
OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN
|
|
23
|
PROPERTY REGISTRATION AUTHORITY
|
The above table does not include the Revenue Commissioners, The Office of Public Works, the Courts or the Prison Services, all of which are generally understood to be part of the Civil Service, The Garda or HSE Votes each of which are specific sectors, or the National Gallery which is a cultural institution with its own Vote.
Appendix 2
Internal Organisation of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform:
Expenditure Policy Evaluation and Management Division
Health, Pensions Policy and EU/NI Division
Labour Market and Enterprise Policy Division
Remuneration and Industrial Relations Division
Centre for Management and Organisational Development (CMOD) and eGovernment
Public Service Reform and Delivery Office (including Shared Services Transformation Unit)
Civil Service Human Resources Division (including PeoplePoint)
Government Reform Unit
Human Resources / Corporate Support Unit
Office of the Chief Medical Officer
National Procurement Office
Note: All of the above report to the Secretary General of the Department.
Other bodies under my Department include Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC), Outside Appointments Board, Public Service Agreement Implementation Body, Civil Service Arbitration Board, the Valuation Tribunal, and Special EU Programmes Body. Separately, both the Institute of Public Administration and the Economic and Social Research Institute receive Grant-in-aid from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
