Vol. 561 No. 4
319 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures as outlined in the review of Estimates report which have been implemented by his Department to date; the measures he proposes to implement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4478/03]
The following table sets out the position in relation to those measures and recommendations of the Estimates review committee which are relevant to my Department.
|
Estimates Review Committee Recommendation |
Position in Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) |
|
DCMNR revised gross allocation for 2003 of 484.45 million (para. 4.1) |
Implemented in 2003 Abridged Estimates Volume |
|
Overall employment in Civil Service to be capped at existing levels and reduced where possible (paras 5.3 and 16.5) |
Discussions are ongoing with Department of Finance in light of the Government decision on public service numbers |
|
Funding for the Management Information Framework (MIF) not to be reduced (para. 6.2) |
The cost of implementing MIF has been provided for as a key priority within the Department's administrative budget for 2003 and 2004. |
|
Formulation of proposals for better control of administrative costs (paras. 7.1 and 16.8) |
The DCMNR is working with the Department of Finance, in the context of the administrative budget framework, to enhance existing controls and administrative efficiencies. |
|
Review of agencies to ensure a proper balance between devolution and central co-ordination and control and to eliminate overlap between programmes and agencies (para. 12.2) |
In addition to enhancing corporate governance procedures for the agencies under the Department's aegis, it is intended to develop VFM service level agreements with each of the agencies with a view to maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. |
|
Consideration of scope for rationalisation of existing structure of the central and regional fisheries boards (paras. 15.1 and 16.15 and Appendix III) |
A review of organisational structures and governance arrangements for inland fisheries has been announced. |
|
Need to press ahead with introduction of revised structures and systems for resource allocation and financial management (para. 15.2) |
The Department is giving particular strategic priority to enhancing financial management systems (including MIF), expenditure programme management and evaluation, resource allocation, accountability for results and the development of robust policy evaluation capabilities. The implementation of multi-annual budgeting and financial envelopes will be progressed in line with wider expenditure reform initiatives. |
|
Imposition of an efficiency dividend of 2% on administrative budget holders (para. 16.7) |
The administrative budget agreement between the Department of Finance and the Department for the years 2002-04 already provides for the surrender of an annual 2% efficiency dividend. |
