Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the nature and outcome of any value for money audit carried out by her Department during the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25711/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Value for money reviews are carried out within the Value for Money/Policy Review Initiative framework. The Department undertook 9 value for money/policy reviews under the 2006-2008 round of reviews. All but two of these have been completed. In addition work has begun on a review under the 2009 round of the process. The position with regard to each review is set out.

Reviews under the 2006-2008 Round yet to be completed

Review of Disability Allowance

The terms of reference for the disability allowance review were agreed with the Department of Finance in February 2008 and the review is well underway. New data emerging from the National Disability Survey 2006 is expected shortly and will be incorporated in the review.

Review of Information Services

Terms of reference for this Review were agreed with the Department of Finance in September 2007. The Steering Group has completed its research and the draft report is currently being finalised.

Reviews Completed Under the 2006-2008 Round

SWA Review

Progress has been made in implementing a number of the recommendations of the SWA Review:

Rent & Mortgage Interest Supplement/Rental Accommodation Scheme — The review identified a number of issues relating to the incentives under the rent supplement scheme for those wishing to take up an employment opportunity. Subsequent Budgets and legislation introduced a number of measures to address these issues.

Capital Assessment — The SWA Review recommended an easing of the means test for SWA purposes in the assessment of capital and this has been implemented.

Transfer of Functions — The recommendations in the SWA Review complement the objectives of the Transfer of Functions Project. The report put forward a working template to support the transfer of the Community Welfare Service from the Health Service Executive to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Negotiations on the transfer are continuing.

Unemployment Benefit/Assistance (Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance) for atypical workers

The main recommendations of the Review Group, particularly in relation to the introduction of part-time availability for jobseekers benefit, will be considered in the context of a wider review of the unemployment schemes.

Review of One-Parent Family Payment

The Government discussion paper, "Proposals for Supporting Lone Parents," put forward proposals to tackle obstacles to employment for lone parents and other low income families. These included proposals for the extension of the National Employment Action Plan to focus on lone parents, focused provision of childcare and the introduction of a new social assistance payment for low income families with young children.

A new payment scheme would have to be introduced along with co-ordinated supports and services being put in place by a number of Departments and Agencies. Issues including access to childcare support, education, training and activation measures are being discussed with the relevant Departments and Agencies in tandem with the development by the Department of Social & Family Affairs of a new payment scheme. The Department of Social & Family Affairs is continuing to keep policies in relation to lone parents under consideration. However, the extent and speed at which these can progress will be influenced by the current economic climate.

Review of Social Welfare Payments to Carers

The report has been completed and was subsumed into research which informed the deliberations on the development of a National Carers' Strategy in 2008. Due to economic constraints, the Government is unable to publish a National Carers Strategy at this time.

Review of the Medical Review and Assessment Service (MRAS)

A review of the MRAS was completed in 2006. The numbers of Medical Assessors has increased from an average of 17 prior to 2007 to 22 at June 2009 and an application has been made to the Department of Finance to increase this to 25. The number of centres used for medical assessments has been reduced from 64 to 54.

Consultants were selected in April 2008 to help implement both the business and ICT changes recommended in the report. Work commenced in January 2009 on the modernisation of the MRAS. The Medical Review Case Management (MRCM) project will support organisational and technical change in MRAS and will be implemented on a phased basis over the period to end July 2010. It is envisaged that the new functionality provided by this project will have a broader use across the Department in areas where individual case management of customers is a requirement.

Review of the future of the Combat Poverty Agency (CPA) [policy review]

The Department is working with the Board and staff of the Agency in implementing a plan for the transition of the Department. The transfer will take place on 1st July 2009.

Green Paper on Pensions [policy review]

The Green Paper on Pensions was launched by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Social and Family Affairs in October 2007, beginning a period of consultation which closed in May 2008. Over 380 submissions were received. A report on the consultation process was published in September 2008. Work is continuing on the development of a long-term pensions framework and it is expected to be finalised in the near future.

2009 Round of Reviews

Review of Child Income Supports

Under the 2009 round of reviews the Department is undertaking a Review of Child Income Support. A Steering Group has been established, comprising officials from the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Department of Finance as well as an independent chairperson, and it has begun its deliberations on the review.