Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister agree this is a totally pathetic outturn from what was to be a very important element in getting value for money? That only seven reviews out of the requirement of 30 per year have been completed, in even the very unambitious programme the Minister published, is way behind schedule. The Minister read out the topics which I conservatively guess represent approximately one quarter of 1% of public spending which is under scrutiny in these reports. This is not scrutiny in any meaningful sense.

Will the Minister immediately lift the embargo on any value for money reviews being conducted in the Department of Health and Children, one of the Departments which spends the most money in this State, much of which is not giving the value we should get from it? Will he also lift the embargo on examining value for money in the Office of Public Works? Again, the fact it is involved in decentralisation is offered as a spurious reason why it should not come under scrutiny.

Will the Minister implement, as was intended when this legislation was introduced in the Dáil, the proper mandate to have a rolling programme of expenditure review which considers at least 25% of public spending each year? Let us have meaningful scrutiny in the House.

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