Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Shane Ross.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
ations since the Government came to power; the number and names of the non-governmental
organisations in operation; his plans in this area; and if he will make a statement on the
matter. [7802/12]
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin): Details relating to
part one of the Deputy’s question are set out in the following table:
Department
Bodies Abolished or Merged
Education and Skills
The National Centre for Technology in Education
(NCTE)
Health
The National Social Workers Qualifications Board
The National Council for the Professional Development
of Nursing and Midwifery
Environment, Community and Local Government Affordable Homes Partnership 1
Transport, Tourism and Sport
Children and Youth Affairs
Centre for Housing Research 1
Local Government Management Services Board 2
Local Government Computer Services Board 2
Comhar (Sustainable Development Council)
Limerick Northside and Southside Regeneration
Agencies 3
Dublin Regional Tourism Authority
The Children Acts Advisory Board
Notes:
1 The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency is operating on an administrative basis and will include the
functions of the Affordable Homes Partnership and the Centre for Housing Research. The Agency will also include
the National Building Agency which is in the process of being wound up.
2 The Local Government Management Agency includes the functions of these Boards and will be given legal effect
in 2012.
3
Both Agencies are currently operating as a single administrative unit and will form part of an Office for Regeneration
in conjunction with Limerick City Council.
With regard to the second part of the question, I refer the Deputy to my answer to Deputy
Mary Lou McDonald (PQ Ref No: 5539/12) on 31 January 2012, which sets out the different
bodies currently in operation and the approach which my Department is taking in classifying
the different types of organisation. Regarding my plans in this area, as the Deputy will know,
the Public Service Reform Report, published in November 2011, outlined the programme of
public service reforms and improvements which are designed to deliver the commitments made
in the Programme for Government. The radical streamlining of state bodies is a key element
in the programme of reforms and to this end, the Report listed 48 bodies which are due to
be rationalised by end 2012 and a further 46 bodies which are to be critically reviewed by
June 2012.
In addition, the Government has also decided to:
• introduce sunset clauses when new bodies are created which will ensure a new body
will cease to exist after a predetermined date unless its mandate is specifically renewed;
• ensure Departments regularly review the continuing business case for all significant
State bodies; and
• require that robust service level agreements are put in place as a matter of urgency by
each Department with each of its State bodies.
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