Ministerial Functions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Questions (369)

Dara Calleary

Question:

369. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the delegated responsibilities he has given to Ministers of State in his Department; when the order of delegated responsibility was signed; if he included his Ministers of State in direct discussions or meetings with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of pre-budget discussions; if so, the dates of such meetings and the attendance at each meeting; if the Minister of State was not included, the reason this was the position, in view of the designated responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31920/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I am interpreting this question as referring to a Delegation of Ministerial Functions Order which is provided for under section 2 (1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977. This provides for the delegation to a Minister of State assigned to the Department of State of which the Minister of the Government has charge statutory powers and duties of such Minister of the Government under any particular Act or any particular statutory power or duty of such Minister of the Government.

In my Department, I as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform have retained all statutory powers and duties pertaining to my ministerial role. The Minister of State, Eoghan Murphy, has assumed functions and responsibilities to carry out on my behalf. However, I have not delegated any statutory powers pursuant to the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1977.

Similarly, the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Sean Canney has also assumed functions and responsibilities to carry out on my behalf. However, I have not delegated any statutory powers pursuant to the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1977.

Meetings held in advance of the budgetary process are available on my Department's website via the following link - http://www.per.gov.ie/en/ministers-diary/.