Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

We are back again at the beginning of the story. On the issue of undertaking an overall analysis of value for money, there are ongoing value for money audits in all Departments and, I presume, in local authorities. Therefore, it is a for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to carry out a value for money audit on the scheme. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is the begetter of the scheme, controls its conditions and is responsible for its rules.

If the Deputy wants to know whether a value for money audit on this scheme has been undertaken, he should table a question to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. That is not my Department's role. I do not make the rules of the scheme and I am not responsible for the overall policy issues.

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