Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the nature and outcome of any value for money audit carried out by his Department during the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25708/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Evaluation and Audit Unit of my Department undertakes the programme of Value for Money Reviews under the Government's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative. In the past three years, Value for Money Reviews have been completed in regard to the following activities: the Passport Service; support for Irish Emigrant Groups Programme; support to Tsunami Affected Countries; the Mozambique Country Programmes, 2001-2006.

The overall findings from the above reviews have been very positive. They have also brought forward a number of recommendations resulting in my Department taking appropriate actions to enhance the effectiveness of the programmes concerned.

For example, the review of the Passport Service concluded that the Passport Offices provide a high level of customer service. This report also highlighted major advances in the service in recent years such as the roll out of the automated production system and the production of e-passports.

In the case of programmes administered by Irish Aid, the Government's Official Aid Programme managed by my Department, the reviews seek to ensure that there is a clear focus on poverty reduction pursued through strategies and approaches in keeping with international best practice for improved aid effectiveness.

The Department's independent Audit Committee takes a close interest in the Value for Money Review process, including following up on the implementation of recommendations.

As with all major evaluations, completed Value for Money Reports, once approved, are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, submitted to the Oireachtas Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, and published on the Department's website.