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Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform publishes the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 – paving the way for the establishment of the new Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin T.D., today published the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 which provides the legislative framework for the formal establishment of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

On welcoming the publication, the Minister stated “The Government is committed to reform and ensuring the effective management of taxpayers’ money and the delivery of quality public services that meet the needs of citizens. This Bill gives effect to the establishment of a new Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with responsibility for public expenditure as well as for the modernisation and reform of the public service.

On enactment of the legislation I, in my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, will have responsibility for all functions vested in the Minister for Finance in relation to the public service, such as superannuation, remuneration, appointment of staff and terms and conditions of employment in relation to staff of public service bodies. At the same time, responsibility for the management of overall Departmental expenditure including the management of the annual estimates process and general sanctioning powers in relation to expenditure will transfer to me from the Minister for Finance.

The Government is determined to modernise, renew and transform the way in which services are delivered. For the first time, functions and responsibility in relation to reform and modernisation of the public service will be reflected on a statutory basis. I hope the legislation will be given priority status in its passage through the Oireachtas.”

The text of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2011 and the Explanatory Memorandum are available on http://per.gov.ie/