Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 351: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures agreed for her Department under the value for money review 2006-08; the projects which had the necessary changes made; when they are planned for completion; if a value for money review is planned after 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25857/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In respect of the Value for Money Reviews for the 2006-2008, three such reviews were conducted and details of each of these are set out below. Arrangements for the next round of reviews, which may cover the period 2009-2011, are being considered by the Value for Money and Policy Review Central Steering Committee.

1. Expenditure Review of the FÁS Competency Development Programme

The Department is currently conducting a Value for Money Review of the FÁS Competency Development Programme. This is a review of the principal programme for supporting the training of people in employment. It is expected that the Value for Money Review will be completed during September 2008.

2. The Value for Money review of Science Foundation Ireland

The Value for Money review of Science Foundation Ireland programmes is nearing completion and is expected to be finalised in July 2008. The purpose of the review is to examine SFI's major funding programmes and make targeted comments and recommendations, where appropriate, on the overall effectiveness of the agency supports in building a world-class research system in Ireland, with a focus on whether the programmes as operated constitute value for money and efficient use of public funds. It is anticipated that the implementation of the review when completed will assist in securing value for money and maximising the economic impact from the SFI investments.

3. Expenditure Review on Science & Technology

The Department undertook an Expenditure Review of spending on Science & Technology in 2004. The Review focussed on the principal Research Technological Development and Innovation in Industry measures under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The schemes assessed under the Expenditure Review over the period of operation 2000-2003 were:

The R & D Capability Grants Scheme

The Research Technology & Innovation Competitive Grants Scheme

The Enterprise Ireland Collaboration Programme.

The Review was completed in December 2005, presented to the Expenditure Review Steering Committee in the Department of Finance and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in 2006.