Dáil Éireann - Volume 651 - 03 April, 2008

Written Answers. - Departmental Services.

[101] Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he envisages cutbacks in services provided by or through his Department in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12489/08]

  Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív: My Department’s estimate for gross expenditure for 2008 is €557.1m, an increase of €34.4m on its allocation for 2007. This figure was agreed as part of the normal estimates process and was published in the Revised Estimates Volume in February 2008.

The Deputy may be aware that, on foot of an announcement in the 2008 Budget of an efficiency review of administrative spending across the public service, each Department is required to examine such spending, both within its own ambit and of bodies under its aegis, and to provide proposals for administrative savings to the Department of Finance.

Any proposals for changes to existing schemes or services that may emerge from that process will be fully considered by my Department and discussed, as appropriate, with the Department of Finance.