Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

Compared to the reply provided on 8 February, it is obvious from the Minister of State's response that no progress has been made since then as regards the ongoing dispute between the Department of Finance and the IMPACT union representing development specialists and other staff. The Minister of State said that an advance party will be going to Limerick, conveniently just before the general election, to show that there is some movement on decentralisation. What discussions have taken place with NGOs on the implications for the effective expenditure of Irish Aid moneys on the projects administered by such NGOs? The Comptroller and Auditor General's report showed serious deficiencies in the control and accountability of moneys being spent in certain areas administered by Irish Aid.

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