73 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number of State agencies identified for abolition or merger; the number of agencies which have been merged or abolished to date; the total net savings which have been made in respect of each State agency arising from its merger or abolition; the likely date for merger or abolition in respect of each State agency which has not already been merged with another State agency or abolished; his plans to further reduce the number of State agencies, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2999/11]

In Budget 2009, I announced 30 agency rationalisation measures involving a reduction of 41 bodies and the streamlining of certain other functions. To date, 19 agency rationalisations measure have been completed and information on these proposals, including estimated savings in terms of expenditure and staff reductions as reported to my Department is set out in Table 1 below.

Information on the outstanding measures is set out in Table 2. In summary, 7 measures have target completion dates in 2011 and progress is also being pursued in respect of four other measures. The Deputy will note that some of the measures marked down for completion in 2011 have already been partially implemented. As regards projected savings, the experience to date is that it is often difficult to make definitive savings projections when the functions of agencies and bodies are being transferred or consolidated. Such matters only tend to become clear at, or shortly after, the commencement of the implementation phase.

In addition to the general round of agency rationalisation referred to above, there have also been a number of other developments. Information on 6 additional rationalisation decisions involving a reduction of 23 bodies is set out in Table 3. I would also draw the Deputy's attention to Page 69 of the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 where it is stated that the programme of State Agency rationalisation that commenced in 2008 will continue with a particular emphasis on:

reducing the number and range of agencies;

redeploying staff to areas of greatest need;

improving governance and performance arrangements; and

sharing services

The reduction in expenditure allocations over the period of the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 in conjunction with revised employment ceilings will, accordingly, require continued progress across Departments and Offices in the rationalisation of Agencies as appropriate.