Dr. Deiric Ó Broin:

I thank Senator Coffey. There are two distinct components to my answer. The first is that each individual programme will be evaluated on a regular basis to assess its impact. That is an ongoing process. The second element is more relevant to today's discussion. We recently carried out a feedback and engagement process with beneficiaries, communities and stakeholders on funds managed by Pobal. A number of issues were highlighted in terms of impact and we are actually working on implementing those at the moment. The board has taken a very strong role in taking on board the lessons from that feedback and engagement process. Bureaucracy is one of the issues that came up. We have to strike a balance between accountability for the allocation of public funds and the capacity of the organisations, groups and communities with which we work. We must try, to the best of our ability, to limit the bureaucratic overhead or burden. We are using technology to help in that regard and we are also redesigning some of our processes. The senior alert scheme is a useful example in this regard. That scheme is rolled out across the country and has been managed by Pobal for a number of years. It is a good example of a technical solution being delivered by Pobal and the Department to reduce administration and delays in getting personal monitored alarms to the homes of vulnerable older people across Ireland. We can turn around requests for personal monitored alarms within 24 hours or less. Previously, depending on the individual's location, such requests could have taken a number of weeks to process.

The board serves on a voluntary basis and its members all come from local organisations. We bring that very particular experience to our work. The board is very strong and very keen to make sure that our experience informs the work of Pobal.