andMr. P. Barry asked the Minister for Finance how the fundamental review of Government spending now being initiated differs from previous reviews and from the normal work in this area done by his Department; the number and grade of staff allocated whole-time to the review; the form it will take; when he expects the first and the final report of the review to be made; if the reports will be published; if any outside experts will be involved; and if he has issued any guidelines or directions for the conduct of the review.

Government spending is reviewed each year, when the annual departmental Estimates are being settled. As part of their normal work the staff of my Department examine proposals for extensions of existing services and for new services involving extra Government spending. In addition, my Department have expert staff who carry out in-depth analytic studies of selected issues. The annual Estimates reviews, because of the short period available, do not permit a fundamental examination of each and every item of Government expenditure. I have set in motion therefore a comprehensive review which will extend over a short period of years and which will cover the entire field of Government expenditure.

At present, I intend that work on this review would be carried out as far as possible by existing staff— mainly at assistant principal level— either by redeployment or otherwise as appropriate. In addition, we now have a corps of trained analysts, management accountants and other skilled officers throughout the public service and some of these will naturally be closely involved in this review work. I might add that, while I consider it preferable at this stage that the work should be not constrained by an overemphasis on specific procedures, I have of course indicated in my financial statement some general guidelines for the review.

Generally speaking, reports on specific issues reviewed in the past have not been published in that they were regarded as internal to Government and part of the confidential advice given by officials to Ministers. However, in this case, the review will form an important part of the continuing series of Green (discussion) and White (decision) papers referred to in the White Paper on National Development. Furthermore, it will also be an important part of the process of restoring stability to the public finances, because it will enable the Government to take informed decisions.

Would I be correct in assuming from what the Minister has said that no staff will be allocated wholetime to what is described as a fundamental review of public spending?

As I said, a number of trained people will be involved in this including staff from the Department of Economic Planning and Development.

Will any staff be allocated wholetime to this work and given specific responsibility for it alone?

I would assume that as the analysis is being made the Minister will judge for himself the number of wholetime or temporary staff required.

Have any been allocated wholetime as yet?

Not as yet, to my knowledge.

In regard to the directions to be issued in connection to this review, could the Minister say if he proposes to adhere to the commitment made by his party in their document published in September 1976 on economic recovery when they said they would reduce public spending as a percentage of GNP to 42.2 per cent by 1980?

There is no question of restrained public spending, none whatever.

What? No question of restrained public spending?

Is that what the Deputy is saying?

Yes.

Any document published by this party will be fulfilled.

May I take it that it is proposed to reduce public spending as a percentage of GNP to 42.2 per cent by 1980?

We are managing the expenditure.

If the Minister wishes to answer Deputy Bruton, I will wait.

I think I have given a comprehensive reply to the question put down. I think I have covered every item that the Deputy had in mind.

Could the Minister say if any persons will be engaged as consultants in this exercise?

I would assume, yes.

Apart from assuming, is the Minister in a position to state whether or not outside people will be engaged as consultants?

Yes, if such people are required.

Has anybody been engaged to date?

Not to my knowledge.

Is the Minister not in a position to know? Does he know? Could it have happened without his knowing?

I think I have already covered the matter pretty comprehensively. If people with specialised training are needed for this work they will be employed.

Has anyone been employed?

I have already said, not to my knowledge.

Does that mean that they have not?

Question No. 13.

Surely the Minister must know in respect of a Department over which he has authority when people have been engaged?