Departmental Bodies Abolition

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Ceisteanna (182)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

182. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details in tabular form of the number of agencies, bodies, boards, quangos, or other entities, which are financed from, answerable to or established by his Department that have been abolished, merged, re-organised since he came to office; the saving that have been realised since the changes were made; the level of staff reduction that has been achieved; if he will provide details of any further agency reductions that he intends pursuing in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2456/13]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Last July the Government agreed to the recommendations of a review of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) undertaken by my Department. It was agreed to dissolve the NESDO but to retain the NESC as the statutory body. The review also recommended a number of measures to streamline and improve the operation of the NESC and achieve further efficiencies. In addition, there has been a 11.1% reduction in funding since 2011, building on the reductions in previous years. Work, including to develop the necessary legislation, is underway in my Department.