Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 76 on 28 February, I wrote to my ministerial colleagues on 20 October last enclosing a copy of my address of the same date to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and requesting them to ensure their Departments take all the necessary steps to implement the measures set out in my address. My Department issued a circular letter to all Departments on 25 January last outlining in detail the requirements to give effect to the measures in my announcement of 20 October 2005 as well as earlier decisions made by Government on ICT and consultancy procurement. Copies of the circular letter were also placed in the library of the House.

The circular included changes to existing guidelines on public procurement, consultancy and capital appraisal and outlined the necessary additional steps being taken to give effect to the various value for money measures announced. It is primarily a matter for individual Departments and their agencies to make the necessary arrangements and implement the changes arising in their area. Follow up on a number of measures outlined in the circular of 25 January last fall within the direct responsibility of my Department.

With regard to fixed price contracts I am pleased that the consultation with the industry on the introduction of these contracts for public works is almost complete. Following essential training of relevant public sector staff, the contracts will be available for use as soon as possible in 2006.

My Department has also set up an inter-departmental review group on the guidelines on commissioning consultants. This group will report by mid-year and any necessary action on foot of the review will be implemented as a matter of urgency. The peer review process for major ICT projects is now operational and four reviews have already started. My Department is co-ordinating work on setting up these reviews. While the peer review process is a worthwhile initiative and an additional safeguard in the development and implementation of IT projects, it does not override the accountability arrangements in place within organisations.

As regards recruitment and training of specialist staff in ICT projects and consultancies, my Department is conducting a survey of all Departments seeking details of areas where skills shortages currently exist. In addition, the Civil Service training and development centre in my Department has modified the content of its policy analysis and capital appraisal guidelines training programmes to better reflect the new value for money requirements and is putting in place a new project management course aimed at those in the public service who procure and manage capital projects.

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