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State Agencies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 June 2012

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Ceisteanna (12, 13)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

11 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of State agencies and other new bodies that have been announced; the number abolished since 31 March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28308/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

14 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on his review of State agencies; and if the review will be completed and published in June 2012. [28257/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 14 together.

As the Deputy will be aware the Public Service Reform Plan, published in November last year, demonstrated the Government's commitment to reform and the pursuit of efficiencies by deciding (i) to proceed with the rationalisation of 48 bodies by the end of 2012 and (ii) the critical review of a further 46 bodies by the end of June 2012. Details of the bodies involved are set out in Appendices IIa and IIb of the Plan.

With regard to the progress made on the rationalisation of the 48 bodies by end 2012, my Department is monitoring progress on the implementation of these measures, on a quarterly basis. Details of the completed actions as well as progress on the other measures, as of end Quarter 1 of this year, are set out in the table below.

The critical reviews of 46 bodies are underway and due for completion at the end of this month. Following consideration of the reviews by my Department, I intend to bring a Memorandum to Government setting out the results of the review process. The Government will then make the necessary decisions on the various recommendations / next steps in the reform programme.

Questions regarding the creation of new bodies are a matter for individual Departments and should be directed to the relevant Ministers. In terms of my own Department, no new bodies or agencies have been created since March 31 2011. However, I have re-organised resources within my Department to set up a Reform and Delivery Office, the role of which is to lead and drive the implementation of the Public Service Reform Plan and to coordinate the various reform initiatives across the public service.

I have also established, as part of the broader public service development role of my Department, the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), the role of which is to support Departments in evaluating policy and expenditure options; value for money exercises; cost benefit and regulatory impact analyses; and regulatory and competition issues. Recruitment of new economists into the IGEES has now commenced and these recruits will supplement existing economic and analytical resources across the public service.

(i) Appendix 1 — Completed Actions end Q1 2012

Body

Action

Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology andIrish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Science

Merge Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology and Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Science into consolidated single council under HEA

Local Government Management Service Board and Local Government Computer Services Board

Merge Local Government Management Service Board and Local Government Computer Services Board into Local Government Management Agency*

Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency and Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency

Merge Limerick Northside and Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency into Limerick Local Authorities*

Comhar (Sustainable Development Council)

Integrated into the National Economic and Social Council (NESC)

Interim Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency

This agency* incorporates the functions of the Affordable Homes Partnership, National Building Agency and Centre for Housing Research

Commission on Public Service Appointments

Merge Commission on Public Service Appointments with Ombudsman Office*

National Council for Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery

Merge the National Council for Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery† into An Bord Altanais

Dublin Regional Tourism Authority

Merger of functions into Fáilte Ireland

The National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE)

Abolished†

The National Social Workers Qualifications Board

Abolished†

The Children Acts Advisory Board

Abolished†

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