TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowensaid he did not believe in making structural changes for their own sake when he announced his Cabinet reshuffle to the Dáil.
The House approved the Cabinet nominations by 83 votes to 75.
Too often, said Mr Cowen, changes in structures could be pursued to disguise a lack of clear priorities or the determination to implement them.
“This Government has a clear agenda which I am determined will be driven forward with energy and commitment,” he added. “There is no time to be wasted on extensive restructuring at the expense of action to implement our policies.”
Mr Cowen said restructuring of departments and agencies inevitably entailed disruption and costs. But he was satisfied the benefits would outweigh the costs. “A major focus of the changes I am making is the jobs agenda: creating the conditions for sustainable job creation; ensuring our people have the skills and competences to fill jobs, especially those with a high value-added content; and supporting those who have lost their jobs as they prepare for future employment.”
He said the agenda set out in the recent report of the taskforce on innovation had highlighted some of what needed to be done, building on the very significant presence of overseas companies and the potential for a much faster rate of growth of many high-potential indigenous companies.
He proposed, he said, to sharpen that focus within the renamed Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation by transferring to it funding for the programme for research in third-level institutions. “This will help to bring together a streamlined and focused programme of funding of research and development, aligned with the objectives of enterprise policy.”
He said that responsibility for skills and training policy was being reallocated to the renamed Department of Education and Skills. It would also have responsibility for the training activities of Fás.
Responsibility for the Fás employment services was being transferred to the renamed Department of Social Protection, he said.
Mr Cowen added that the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs would become the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, incorporating responsibility for social inclusion policy and family policy as well as equality, disability, integration and human rights.
The Taoiseach also announced that he was transferring responsibility for the horse and greyhound industries from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Mr Cowen added that he was giving “a strengthened emphasis to the direction and leadership of change in the public service”, adding it would be the responsibility of Minister of State Dara Calleary.
The Government, he said, would also appoint a public service board, including members from outside the public service with appropriate experience and skills.
Minister for the Environment John Gormleywelcomed the new appointments and defended the Government's record. "If one looks objectively at what has been achieved, one will see that a great deal of work has been done to make this country a fairer place."
First, the Government had to deal with the tax system and restructure it. “We also had to ensure we got to the tax exiles which is something that has not been done before,” he added.
“We had to ensure we cut off the tax loopholes. We had to introduce new taxes which should have been introduced many years ago, including taxes on second homes.”
Mr Gormley said the Green Party was very proud of the continued and increased investment in flood protection and water infrastructure. He thanked his Fianna Fáil colleagues for “working closely with us on those issues”.
