Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Finance if the central evaluation unit has identified any cases of non-compliance in its spot checks of capital projects; and the consequences for the projects involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38757/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the conditions of sanction for capital expenditure issued by my Department, Departments are required to put in place a system of annual spot-checks of capital projects to ensure that they are complying with these VFM requirements and to report the findings of these spot-checks annually to my Department. The Evaluation Unit in my Department reviews these spot-check reports and may also directly undertake its own spot checks of individual capital projects either as part of this review process or on its own initiative.

In this context, The Evaluation Unit has also undertaken a substantial programme of direct spot checks of individual capital projects encompassing over 20 projects across six different Departments — Transport; Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Education and Science; Health and Children; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Arts, Sport and Tourism.

On completion a final report on each spot-check is submitted to the relevant Department. As may be expected, these reports can raise issues from time to time and as a result do provide advice to Departments on aspects such as the planning, appraisal and execution of specific projects by reference to the VFM framework in place, which Departments are expected to consider and action as appropriate.