121 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Finance the number of task forces or special committees set up in his Department since 1997; the date they were established; the terms of reference of each; if they have reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24488/01]

The following is a list of task forces or special committees set up in my Department since the end of June 1997. I have included details of the terms of reference and other relevant information with regard to each body.

Internal Group for Review of Estimates and Budgetary Process

This internal working group was set up in May 2001, following a Government decision to align the Income Tax-PRSI year with the calendar year, with effect from 1 January 2002. The group was chaired by an official of the Department of Finance.

The terms of reference were:

To review the general Estimates and Budget process and timetable against the background that the Budget for years subsequent to 2002 is likely to be delivered earlier in the year than at present, and to recommend whatever changes it considers appropriate in that context to accommodate the revised time scale that would be involved and to ensure that the Government can be provided with high quality information on which to base its Estimates and Budget decision.

The report of the working group was presented to the management advisory committee of the Department of Finance on 12 October 2001.

Interdepartmental Group on Compensation Issues