Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Finance the penalties and actions that will be taken should a progress report on an National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 project submitted to a management committee of a Department or agency indicate that the project is not complying with the value for money framework, is not achieving targets and is running over cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3876/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Chapter 12 of the NDP 2007-2013 sets out a strong Value for Money framework for expenditure under the Plan. This includes the requirement for progress reports on projects to the management of implementing Departments and Agencies. It will be a matter in the first instance for these bodies to take whatever action is necessary if the circumstances outlined in the Deputy's Question pertain. In this regard, my Department's Capital Appraisal Guidelines sets out guidance as to the steps to be taken at appraisal and implementation stage if and when the circumstances outlined in the Question arise.

More generally, Departments and Agencies are required to carry out spot checks on compliance with the Value for Money framework and submit the findings to my Department. These Reports will be examined by the recently established Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit of my Department. This Unit may also carry out checks on its own initiative. My Department, in consultation with implementing Departments and subject as appropriate to Ministerial and Government approval, will consider what action if any might be warranted on foot of this scrutiny process.