Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I wanted to ask two questions of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Why did the Department form its view on the business case for maintaining Benefacts in existence without consulting the company? I would like the Department to answer that. Furthermore, why was no consideration given to Benefacts's request for Teckal status to be considered, putting it on the same footing as Pobal? If the Department could answer those questions, and if we could build up some understanding before it comes before us, I think it would be useful. It might be useful as well to find out what the business case was for the Department of Rural and Community Development to initiate the exercise, which is creating something similar but not as comprehensive as this. We might ask the Department if there was a business case for it.