Statement from the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding the creation of an efficiency review panel

Speaking today the First Minister and the deputy First Minister said, the St Andrews Agreement provides: “The First Minister and Deputy First Minister would appoint an Efficiency Review Panel, to examine efficiency and value for money of aspects of the Strand One institutions. The FM/DFM would put to the Assembly for approval proposals for the panel’s remit, which might include the size of the Assembly and the departmental structure. The panel would take into account as appropriate the work of the Review of Public Administration. The panel’s report would be considered by the Executive and Assembly, and, where agreed changes required legislative steps outside the scope of the devolved institutions, by the British Government in consultation as appropriate with the Irish Government.

“The Programme for Government commits the Executive to review the overall number of Government departments by 2011.

“After Easter it is our intention to bring to the Assembly proposals for the creation of the Efficiency Review Panel for approval. The first task of the Efficiency Review Panel will be to examine the number and organisation of Departments in light of the present financial pressures and the implications of the Review of Public Administration and to ensure that the departmental structure is best organised to deliver public services in an efficient manner.

“The Review Panel will report later this year. The review will be on the basis of both fairness and efficiency, taking account of the requirement to protect the safeguards which ensure the Executive is representative of the community and can participate and work together successfully in the operation of the institutions.”

Notes to Editors:

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