Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has carried out an efficiency savings analysis with a view to cutting out unnecessary costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30228/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department analyses efficiency and cost effectiveness of operations through several individual audit and review mechanisms.

The Department's Internal Audit Unit carries out an annual programme of audits and audit reviews of Department Units in order to objectively examine, evaluate and report on the adequacy of internal controls as a contribution to the proper, economic, effective and efficient use of Department resources.

The Department has also adopted a Corporate Procurement Plan that addresses the policy and practical approach to be adopted in relation to procurement. It focuses on those areas of procurement for which the Department is directly responsible, for and is mainly concerned with expenditure on administrative activity. The Plan seeks to meet the obligation of the underlying National Public Procurement Policy Framework and, in doing so, reinforce the Department's commitment to effective and efficient resource allocation.

Since the introduction of formal Expenditure/VFM Reviews in 1997 my Department has completed seven such reviews. One of the key evaluation issues addressed in these reviews centres on the efficiency with which programmes and projects are being delivered.

The preparation of annual estimates of expenditure by the Department also ensures that the cost effectiveness and efficiency of all expenditure provisions are scrutinised with a view to eliminating all unnecessary costs.