The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has said that the growth in day-to-day public expenditure has been brought under control.
Addressing the Oireachtas select committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin said that spending would contract by 2.7% this year, compared to an increase of 12.1 % in 2007.
He said that reduction had been brought about notwithstanding the pressure emanating from the downturn in the economic cycle and higher unemployment.
He warned that further substantial reductions must be made over the coming four years - adding that the Government would not shirk difficult tasks.
He said his core priorities for the period ahead were achieving the Government's fiscal targets, public service reform and political reform.
He said the department was engaging with individuals with experience of private sector reform. He is planning to augment his staff with 'external expertise' both from other parts of the public sector and the private sector where necessary to accelerate the reform agenda.
He reiterated his wish to honour the commitments in the Croke Park agreement, but warned that would only be possible if the agreement were implemented in full.
On political reform, Minister Howlin said the Government was examining complex legal issues surrounding plans for a referendum - possibly on the same day as the Presidential election - to reverse the Abbeylara ruling and permit Oireachtas committees to carry out full investigations.
They are also examining legislation on whistle-blowing, freedom of information - as well as possible reforms of the parliamentary question system, ombudsman legislation and ethics rules.
He said the gross estimate for running his department would be around €40m.
He said the net increase was accounted for primarily by an increased allocation for the Change Management Fund, which supports reform initiatives.
He said the allocation was imperative to resource the department to drive the reform agenda.
He said that he envisaged a stronger role for Oireachtas committees.
