Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2012
302 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that public expenditure cuts to date arising form the memorandum of understanding are likely to achieve the desired targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11580/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra303 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the full extent of the expected savings likely to be achieved across all Government Departments, including State and semi-State bodies or agencies, in the course of the current year; the extent to which this is likely to coincide with preordained targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11581/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra304 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which in the context of his efforts to achieve his proposals to make savings over various Government Departments and their subordinate bodies, he is satisfied that the right balance can be achieved in terms of maximum savings and job retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11582/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra305 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the factors featuring most prominently as being obstacles in his efforts to achieve savings throughout various Government Departments and their respective subordinate bodies or agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11583/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra306 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Government Departments most likely to achieve savings targets set out or identified in the memorandum of understanding within the shortest period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11584/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra308 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has examined any new proposals for savings throughout the public sector not previously identified in the McCarthy report or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11586/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra309 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received proposals from the general public or independent bodies or agencies in the context of achievable savings throughout the various Government Departments and subordinate bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11587/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra310 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which measures taken by him can positively affect the competitiveness of the economy in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11588/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra311 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in the context of any discussions with his EU colleagues, a consensus has emerged in respect of efficiency and savings desirable throughout the eurozone and all EU member states; the extent to which the various member states can converge in terms of efficiency and cost effectiveness throughout the respective public sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11589/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 to 306, inclusive, and 308 to 311, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure exercise was carried out by all Departments in 2011 to identify means of reducing expenditure, in line with our commitments under the Joint EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland, while minimising the impact on service delivery. All proposals, including those from members of the public and third party submissions were fully appraised for this exercise and the outcomes were published in the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2012-2014 (CER).
The Departmental ceilings required to meet this year's expenditure adjustment are clearly set out in the Revised Estimates Volume 2012 (REV), published 23 February 2012, and are consistent with those published in the CER. Furthermore, I have extended the performance budgeting initiative to the majority of Departments, which strengthens the focus on what the public service delivers and aids the process of policy-making through transparency of goals and objectives. My Department has also recently launched a new, more rigorous Value-for-Money Code which will involve the ongoing process of review and evaluation of programmes across all Departments.
It should be noted that this Government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to meet its targets under the Joint EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support and is confident that by meeting these targets we will continue to improve competitiveness and grow our economy, while continuing to provide high-quality public services with improved efficiency and performance across all areas of public administration.
