State Agencies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2011

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Ceisteanna (168)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

168 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will confirm the total number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos which currently exist within his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of each, listing in particular full name, location, the total amount of funding allocated to each in 2011 and total staff number; the number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos which have been abolished or wound down since he took office, and the total amount of savings achieved with each closure; the number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos being considered for abolition in the context of budget 2012; if he will furnish a list of the organisations under consideration, specifying in particular their annual running costs, primary function, and staff number in tabular form; if there is a rationalisation programme in place within his Department in respect of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34892/11]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan)

The 15 State bodies/agencies currently funded from my Department's Vote Group are listed in the table together with details of the whole-time equivalent staff serving in each body as at 30 September 2011.

Details of the expenditure allocations made available to the bodies in question are published each year in the annual REV and the Appropriation Account. The REV also includes Agency Statements, which provide details in relation to expenditure on administration and pay in the previous year. These publications are available on the website of Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at www.per.gov.ie and on the website of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General at www.audgen.gov.ie. The primary function of the bodies/agencies is detailed on their web-sites, together with other relevant information, all of which can be accessed through the Department’s website at:

http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/AboutUs/AgenciesBodiesunderDepartmentsAegis/.

As the Deputy will be aware, the question of the rationalisation and the reduction of State bodies is currently being considered in the context of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and the overall budgetary and estimates process for 2012, and decisions on such matters will be announced by the Government in due course.

No State bodies have been closed by my Department since its establishment on 2 June 2011.

Table:

Name of Agency	Number of whole time equivalent staff serving at 30/09/2011
Waterways Ireland	359.81
Foras na Gaeilge	61
Údarás na Gaeltachta	92.8
Crawford Art Gallery	14
National Library of Ireland	109.27
Heritage Council	16
National Gallery of Ireland	113.20
National Concert Hall	59
National Museum of Ireland	164.99
Irish Museum of Modern Art	81
Arts Council	46
National Archives	44.7*
Chester Beatty Library	32.5
Irish Film Board	15
An Coimisinéir Teanga	6.4*

*Part of overall Departmental numbers