Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 633: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of the teacher education and development scheme will be complete; the value of the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26673/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The report referred to was published in April of this year and the implementation of the recommendations are ongoing.

It is expected that there will be savings to the Exchequer as a result of the implementation of the recommendations but it is difficult to quantify at this point in time.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 634: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of the Youthreach and Traveller education scheme will be complete; the value of the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26674/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Value For Money Review of the Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centre (STTC) programmes funded by the Department of Education and Science has been completed and was published on the Department's website in April 2008.

The terms of reference of the Value For Money Review were wide ranging and included the following:

Determine if the aims and objectives were still relevant and if they are compatible with the overall strategy of the Department

Evaluate the level and trend of costs and staffing resources associated with each programme and comment on the efficiency with which each programme has achieved its objectives

Evaluate if the programmes are providing for the needs of the targeted groups and if the programmes' objectives have been achieved in an efficient and effective manner

Evaluate the appropriateness of the educational provision in the programmes.

Provide recommendations for the future and in particular recommend if the programmes — current or adapted — warrant the continued allocation of public funding on a current and ongoing basis.

While the achievement of savings was an element of the Review, in general it focused on the efficiency and effectiveness with which the programmes used their resources to achieve their stated objectives.

Overall, the Review provides a basis for supporting the argument for the continued allocation of public funding to Youthreach. For STTCs, the Review recommended that in the longer term they should be phased out as a segregated provision and adult travellers should participate in mainstream further education with their peers.

The Review found that both programmes were effective in recruiting their target group and in addressing learners' needs for personal and social development. However, it also found that there was room for improvement in terms of the number of learners on both programmes who obtain certification, as well as the levels at which they obtain certification.

The Review recommended that Youthreach should cater for early school leavers aged 16 to 20 years, while the STTCs should cater for adults aged 18 years and older.

My Department is actively considering these recommendations and preliminary work on their implementation has commenced.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 635: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of the insurance arrangements for schools scheme will be complete; the value of the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26675/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department is proceeding with the value for money policy review of school insurance arrangements. It is expected that the review will be completed towards the end of 2008.

It would be premature of me at this point to anticipate the conclusions that will emerge from this review.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 636: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of the expenditure on the education of persons who do not have English or Irish as a first language will be complete; the value of the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26676/08]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has committed to carry out a value for money review of the expenditure on the education of persons who do not have English or Irish as a first language. Work on the review will commence in the autumn.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 637: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of the special needs assistants scheme will be complete; the value of the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26677/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department has recently commenced a value for money and policy review of the special needs assistant scheme. It is expected that the review will be completed during 2009.

The Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative is part of a framework introduced to secure improved value for money from public expenditure. The objectives of the review are to analyse Exchequer spending in a systematic manner and to provide a basis on which more informed policy decisions can be made. It is one of a range of modernisation initiatives aimed at moving public sector management away from the traditional focus on inputs to concentrate on the achievement of outcomes. To support the overall process, it is envisaged that the review will include engagement with parent representatives, schools, education partners and other representative groups.

It would be premature of me at this point to anticipate the conclusions that will emerge from the review.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the value for money review of grants to first and second level schools will be complete; the value of the anticipated savings to the Exchequer due to the implementation of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26678/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that preliminary work is being undertaken by my Department to facilitate the commencement of the value for money policy review of grants to first and second level schools, as soon as possible.

It is expected that the review will commence in the Autumn and be completed in 2009.