Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

——and I am hopeful that shortly we will have a resolution to the issue involving our development specialists. We value them as being integral to the efficient delivery of the programme. We are hopeful therefore and, as I emphasised in my reply, the negotiations are at a delicate stage. We are on the cusp of a breakthrough and hopefully when that is achieved the Deputies opposite will welcome it. It will mean that all the staff, including development specialists, will be able to move to Limerick to administer and deliver the vast and expanding Irish Aid programme.

The early deployment of 50 staff will occur in May, occupying rented accommodation arranged by the Office of Public Works. That initial move in May has nothing to do with the election, it would have happened in any event. It is very much necessary to ease the transition and minimise any disruption to the programme as we effect the transfer to Limerick. Opposition Members have raised that specific point, as have NGOs and others. Our main priority in moving to Limerick is to minimise any disruption to the programme so staff are being allocated and put in position to assist in the transition to the new location, once the building is ready this autumn. The purpose of the early deployment is to help staff to adjust. It is also being done for family reasons. For certain people who are transferring from the Department and Irish Aid to Limerick the move will involve considerable disruption, especially for their families. The transitional group will assist them with any issues that may arise, including schooling for their children. Such issues will be addressed and assistance given to people who have chosen to decentralise to Limerick.

As regards the effective spending of Irish Aid's money, particularly by NGOs, we conduct rigorous audit requirements. An interesting aspect of the development programme as it has evolved over the years — with the involvement of Ministers of many political persuasions — is that Irish Aid is subject to much more scrutiny concerning auditing, monitoring and evaluation than virtually any other element of State expenditure, particularly at domestic level. The reason for this is the money we are spending has a very low administrative overhead of 5%, so 95% of it is pure spend in policy areas and in distant countries where the NGOs operate.

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