Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for the reply. I am conscious that we discussed this a few months ago but I am still trying to comprehend the RAPID programme, the commitments made under it and exactly how one will measure the achievements arising from it. While it is probably the right way to proceed, what can the Department do to measure the benefits of the programme and how good RAPID is? The Minister said it should continue after 2006. I agree, but I want to see exactly how this can be measured and the results coming from it.

That last time we spoke the review was to be undertaken by each Department and they have since come back stating they spent €337 million, according to the Minister. Did the Department give a measurement tool or what results were obtained from that process? Was the Department satisfied with the money spent or where can we improve on it?

What performance indicators is the Government setting down for the future? Some €377 million is a long way short of the €2 billion that was announced. We argued previously over who announced it, but it has been announced and we have proof of it.

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