I am currently engaged in a number of comprehensive and wide-ranging exercises aimed at identifying appropriate policies and objectives for my Department and its associated Agencies in the context of delivering upon the Programme for Government and assisting national recovery by optimising the focus on the creation and retention of jobs. The exercises encompass a Strategy Review, a Comprehensive Expenditure Review of current and capital expenditure and modernisation of work practices under the Croke Park Agreement all in the context of the public service numbers policy. These exercises, which involve extensive consultation with stakeholders, will help to prioritise the goals and objectives of my Department and its Offices and Agencies and improve their capacity to optimize the use of resources in delivering them.