Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 14: To ask the Minister for Finance the 20 projects on which spot checks were undertaken by the central evaluation unit; and the projects which had issues of potential non-compliance with value for money requirements flagged. [45171/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit (CEEU) in my Department has 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. Final reports have been issued in respect of all projects spot-checked to date bar those relating to the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment projects, in respect of which the reports are currently being finalised.

Four projects were examined in the Department of Health and Children: the amalgamated maternity unit at Cork University hospital; phase 2B of Mullingar hospital; redeveloping the infectious diseases services at the Mater Hospital including provision of a new bioterrorism suite; and, phase 1A of the Midwestern Regional Hospital in Ennis.

In the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism spot-checks were carried out on the Lansdowne Road stadium project; 3 applications under the Sports Capital Programme; and 2 applications under the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme. Four projects now coming under the aegis of the Department of Transport were examined: Luas line B1 (extension from Sandyford to Cherrywood); the N5 national primary route bypass of Charlestown/Bellaghy; the Western Distributor Road in Sligo; and, additional buses, garage upgrades and a new garage for Bus Átha Cliath.

Two projects now coming under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government were examined: the Susie's Field housing development in Cork City and the Ennis/Clarecastle sewerage scheme. Three projects were examined in the Department of Education and Science: a primary school in Monkstown, a post-primary school in Athlone and an Information Technology building in University College Cork.

Finally, five projects were examined under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment: a Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) under the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) CSET grant scheme; two projects under the Principal Investigator grant scheme run by SFI; support under Enterprise Ireland's Productivity Improvement Fund to Company A and an IDA Fixed Asset Grant to Company B.

The objective of the spot-checks and associated final reports is to identify and affirm good practice where it already exists and to promote improvements where it doesn't. As may be expected, these reports have identified many instances of good practice but they have also raised issues on aspects of the planning, appraisal and execution of specific projects by reference to the VFM framework in place. Compliance with this framework is in the first instance the responsibility of the relevant spending Department and upon notification of any issues arising they are expected to consider and take action as appropriate.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that as these reports cover a range of issues over a wide range of sectors, further detail in relation to any specific report would be best obtained from the relevant Minister.