John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of audit and accounting staff currently employed by Irish Aid; the planned increase in the number of such staff that will be employed each year up to 2012 as the Irish Aid budget increases to meet Ireland's committed targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15218/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Irish Aid has in place rigorous accounting and audit controls which are essential to ensuring a transparent, effective and high quality programme. Irish Aid programmes are regularly and intensively audited and evaluated by independent audit firms, by Irish Aid's Evaluation and Audit Unit and by the independent Audit Committee of the Department. Programmes are evaluated to ensure that funds are used for the purposes intended and in respect of outcomes and value for money.

My Department currently employs 18 staff in headquarters for the purpose of audit and accounting of Irish Aid. An additional accountant has been recruited and will join the Division on 7 May 2008. A further 30 staff are employed locally by our missions to manage finance, audit and accounting practices in programme countries. The Irish Aid Programme currently has the capacity to absorb the current level of funding. However, clearly, the question of effective spending and accountability will be key issues as we implement the significant growth in funding projected to 2012. With this in mind my department is carrying out a major review of the management of the Irish Aid Programme in conjunction with the Department of Finance.