---

Departmental Savings

Answer

Administrative savings are a target in the Northern Ireland Office's (NIO) Public Service Agreement (PSA).1998 Comprehensive Spending Review period (1999– 2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02)Because of political uncertainties and doubts about the range of responsibilities for which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland would be directly accountable to Parliament following devolution, the NIO did not publish a PSA in the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review period (1999–2000 to 2001–02) and there was therefore no target to secure administrative savings. Actual savings made in this period were used to offset in-year pressures to allow the Department to live within its baseline allocations.2000 Spending Review period (2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04)The NIO published its first PSA as part of the 2000 Spending Review, setting out the Department's targets. This included a target of securing on-going savings of 3 per cent. in Core Departmental administration costs. This was met.2002 Spending Review period (2003–04, 2004–5 and 2005–06)The PSA for this period included a target of securing on-going savings of 2.5 per cent. in Core Departmental administration costs. This was met.2004 Spending Review period (2005–06, 2006–07 and 2007–08)During the 2004 Spending Review period, the NIO is committed to delivering 2.5 per cent. year on year efficiency targets. Efficiency Delivery Plans are in place to meet this target and the Department published an Efficiency Technical Note on 5 December.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

440 c2581-2W; 34944

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Cost effectiveness Administration Government departments Northern Ireland Office

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk