Office of the Tánaiste funding
Thomas Broughan asks about a separate Vote and changes to the Tánaiste’s office. The Tánaiste says the inherited arrangements remain substantially unchanged and that the office is funded through the Taoiseach’s Department.
When Members get their budget books next Tuesday, will there be a separate Vote for the Office of Tánaiste? Is it the case that the Office of the Tánaiste is returning to the sort of structures that obtained when former Deputy Spring was Tánaiste?
When will the social welfare Bill come before Members? When the Tánaiste and I entered this House, the Deputy behind her, Deputy Stagg, led a wonderful campaign against the dirty dozen, that is, a set of savage cuts imposed by the former Deputy and Minister Mr. McCreevy. Since 2011, however, we have had a dirty ten dozen or perhaps 12 dozen.
Comment on this
Will the Tánaiste take the opportunity afforded by the introduction of the social welfare Bill to start to reverse this?
Comment on this
That is a separate issue. The Deputy is aware of that. The Tánaiste should deal with what is in order.
Comment on this
First, in respect of the Tánaiste's office, I simply have taken over an inherited arrangement. There have been no changes although there may be fewer people. Perhaps I could give the Deputy an exact comparison but there have been no substantial changes. The Deputy was speaking of the establishment and I occupy the same office.
Comment on this
There is no Tánaiste's Vote.