Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Finance the projects which have been subjected to detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months; the benefit cost ratio which emerged from this test; if he has satisfied himself that projects being selected not only pass this test but represent a better return than competing uses for the same limited funds; and the way in which this process influences the size of the capital envelope for different project areas. [36855/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I take it that the Deputy's question relates to major capital projects which must be the subject of a detailed cost benefit analysis in accordance with the guidelines for appraisal and management of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector. As the Deputy will appreciate, given its functions, my Department is not engaged in major capital projects. Its capital expenditure in 2004 was €13.286 million and its capital allocation in 2005 is €11.108 million, and in both years most of the moneys were allocated for use by other bodies. Accordingly, no capital proposal put forward by my Department was the subject of a detailed cost benefit appraisal in the past six months.

I should add that although the Office of Public Works is not funded directly or indirectly by my Department, in view of the subject of the Deputy's question, my Department has asked that office to communicate to the Deputy any relevant information concerning it.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Finance the formalised contract reviews which have occurred to date in 2005 or which are planned for projects over €30 million; and the process whereby his Department audits same. [36856/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's capital allocation in 2005 is €11.108 million and most of the moneys allocated are for use by other bodies. My Department is not engaged in managing major capital projects and the issue of reviewing contracts in excess of €30 million does not therefore arise.

I should add that although the Office of Public Works is not funded directly or indirectly by my Department's Vote, in view of the subject of the Deputy's question, my Department has asked that office to communicate to the Deputy any relevant information concerning it.

In my address of 20 October last to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce I set out a number of measures to promote better value for money including a requirement that for large projects over €30 million there will be a formalised contracts review by the Departments concerned with reports to their Minister and with provision for audit by my Department. This provision is focused on the internal management by Departments of capital projects. I wrote to all Ministers on 20 October asking them to ensure that their Departments take immediate steps, as appropriate, to implement the measures in my address in areas under their remit. Follow-up work is under way in my Department on updating existing guidelines and other necessary steps to ensure that all the measures are implemented in full. Consideration is being given in this context to the arrangements to be put in place in my Department regarding the provision for audit of contracts for major projects in excess of €30 million.