I take it that the Deputy is referring to the Public Service Reform programme agreed by Government in November 2011. Last July the Government agreed a range of actions aimed at achieving a focused and integrated approach to external service delivery of non-core processes with the objective of reducing costs and focusing staff on priority areas.
As part of this approach, the Government has decided that all proposed new services across the Public Service will be tested for external service delivery before any approval to provide the service internally will be granted. External service delivery leads have been appointed in every Department and Sector. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, has responsibility for overseeing the development and implementation of external service delivery policy for the Public Service.
I can advise the Deputy that no new services of this nature have been provided by my Department since March 2011. However, if any new services are proposed, my Department will test them for external delivery in line with government policy.