The report deals with government joint expenditure – more specifically expenses for administrative functions (salary, staff and finance management) and rent. The report examines the handling of these expenses by the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs, the Ministry of Employment, the Ministry of the Interior and Health and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries during the period 2002-2004 to identify good examples of thrift. The angle of the report is forward-looking.
In its examination, the NAOD assumed that the same demands for thrift apply to the area of joint expenditure as to the ministries’ main tasks. It is a consequence of the demand for thrift that ministries must regularly identify areas where savings can be realised. Moreover, ministries must set specific objectives for savings and perform examinations or analyses with savings in view.
In conclusion, based on the examination, the NAOD listed a number of general recommendations regarding thrift in the ministries’ handling of joint expenditure.