Written answers

Wednesday, 18 October 2006

Department of Finance

Value for Money Reviews

9:00 pm

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the proposals for value for money reviews being put forward by Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33166/06]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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On 11th June last I announced a revamping of the Expenditure Review Initiative (ERI). The ERI has been retitled Value for Money and Policy Reviews and has a broader coverage. For the period 2006-2008 the revamped framework will encompass formal reviews already agreed to be carried out under the ERI as well as all other Policy Reviews conducted and commissioned by Departments which impact on Value for Money.

Under the new arrangements the Government, on my recommendation, have approved some 90 formal Value for Money Reviews be carried out by Departments and Offices for the period 2006-2008. Each Department's and Office's programme of reviews will focus on significant areas of expenditure and major policy issues and will, as a general rule, have a minimum indicative coverage of 10-15% of their respective Budgets.

Departments have been directed to give priority to the timely completion of the new round of reviews. All the reviews will be published and submitted to the relevant Select Oireachtas Committee for consideration. I have written to the chair of each Select Committee setting out the reviews to take place relevant to that Committee's remit.

In addition, other policy reviews which impact on Value for Money will also be generally published and submitted to the relevant Select Committee. Departments will also report on progress on Value for Money issues in their Annual Reports and identify separately in their Estimates their expenditure on Value for Money and Policy Reviews.

This new initiative builds on Value for Money reforms already instituted such as the introduction of multi annual capital envelopes, revised capital appraisal guidelines, public procurement reforms and measures in regard to ICT and major consultancies announced last October. They will also complement my Budget 2006 Initiative on the production of published annual output statements by Ministers to accompany consideration of the Estimates of Expenditure from 2007.

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