Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 599: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the farm waste management scheme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27119/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The expenditure review of the Farm Waste Management Scheme was completed by my Department in 2007 and is available on my Department's website.

Many of the review's considerations were taken into account in the introduction of the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme in 2006 which provided increased grants to farmers in order to assist them meet the additional requirements of the Nitrates Directive.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the dairy hygiene scheme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27120/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The value for money review of the Dairy Hygiene Scheme was completed by my Department in 2007 and was made available on my Department's website in early 2008. As the Scheme closed for new applications at the end of 2006, no changes could be made to the terms of the Scheme as a result of the review.

However, the draft findings of the review were taken into account in the introduction of the Farm Improvement Scheme in July 2007.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 601: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the food research and developments grant scheme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27121/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Value for Money Review of the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) was completed in March 2008.

The Review concluded that FIRM has produced high quality research which compares favourably to work being undertaken internationally. The review also established that there was a relatively high level of satisfaction with the administration of FIRM and that it is managed in an efficient manner. The total management costs of the measure amount to 4.3% of total expenditure.

The Review contains a number of recommendations aimed predominantly at better exploiting the results of the research funded under FIRM. These recommendations are being implemented on an on-going basis. There are no savings to the Exchequer arising from the implementation of the Review's recommendations.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 602: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the bovine tuberculosis scheme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27122/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The value for money review of the Bovine TB Eradication Scheme will be completed very shortly and the final report is currently being finalised.

Consideration will be given to implementation of any recommendations that may be contained in the report. Consequently, it is not possible at this stage to quantify the extent of any savings that may result from the review.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 603: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the meat hygiene temporary veterinary inspectors scheme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27123/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's Value for Money Review of the Temporary Veterinary Inspectors scheme was completed in December 2007. A report on the review has been presented to the Department's Management Advisory Committee. The report sets out in detail a number of alternative recommended proposals for the future operation of the scheme, each of which has its own cost implications.

The Management Advisory Committee is currently considering the report.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 604: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the cattle movement monitoring systems and animal identification scheme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27124/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, the Strategic Management Initiative and the Public Service Management Act 1997 emphasised the need for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public resources and set the background for the Expenditure Review process. Under this initiative, my Department carries out Value for Money and Policy Reviews on major spending programmes on a periodic basis aiming to: assess the objectives, efficiency and effectiveness of the programmes and to identify mechanisms to improve the delivery of specific programmes; and identify indicators which will improve monitoring of the performance of the programmes and of the success in meeting their objectives.

A value for money review of the cattle movement and monitoring system has commenced and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008. After its completion, consideration will be given to implementation of any recommendations that may be contained in the report. Consequently, it is not possible at this stage to quantify the extent of any savings that may result from the review.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the value for money review of the fallen animals scheme was completed; the value of savings to the Exchequer generated by the implementation of the conclusions from this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27125/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Value for Money Review on the Fallen Animals Scheme commenced recently. It is expected that the review will be completed in the coming months.