Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Education and Science 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. [25704/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department continually monitors programmes and seeks improvements to deliver value for money and enhanced services to its customers. Reviews are carried out on specific policy areas as agreed with the Department of Finance under the value for money framework. In addition, a range of other policy reviews that impact on value for money are carried out within the Department. The Department reviewed and reported on the policy areas outlined in this reply under the value for money framework over the last three years. Arrangements for consideration and implementation of the recommendations are in place in each case. Progress on implementation is monitored and reports are provided to the Department of Finance on a quarterly basis and to Government on a biannual basis. In addition, value for money reviews are reported on formally in the Department's annual report. Progress on the recommendations for each of these reviews is outlined in Appendix A at the end of this reply.

My Department reviewed and reported on the policy areas outlined below under the Value for Money Framework over the last three years: the review of the ICT Undergraduate Skills Programme, which was published in October 2008; the review of programmes managed by teacher education, which was published in October 2008; the review of Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centres, which was published in April 2008; the review of the supply teacher scheme for primary schools; the review of small schools scheme and the permanent accommodation scheme; the review of youth encounter projects; and the review of ICT support services for schools. The following value for money reviews are ongoing and are nearing completion or scheduled for completion in 2009: the review of insurance arrangements in schools; the review of the summer works scheme; the review of special needs assistants; the review of expenditure on the education of people who do not have English or Irish as a first language; and the review of the school transport programme. The conclusions and recommendations which emerge from these reviews will be considered and implemented with a view to achieving better outcomes and efficiency savings. Progress in implementing any recommendations set out in the reviews and the impacts achieved will be monitored and reported on, as with the reviews which have been completed.

Appendix A

All the reviews are published in full on the Department's website — www.education.gov.ie

Review of the ICT Undergraduate Skills Programme published October 2008

An expenditure review of the ICT undergraduate skills programme, carried out in 2007, was published in April 2008.

The VFM report broadly concluded that the Department of Education and Science and the education sector's pro-activity and responsiveness to industry needs in the ICT sector met the ICT Programme's initial objective of creating the educational capacity required to ensure a steady supply of skilled graduates into the economy. Despite this success, the global downturn in the ICT industry and a realisation of the cyclical nature of the industry had created a climate of insecurity amongst potential students and this had a serious impact on enrolments on the courses funded under the ICT Undergraduate Skills programme.

Recommendations in this report recognise that the Department of Education and Science, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Higher Education Institutes have an important role to play in the provision of future graduates in this area. A number of the report's recommendations have been implemented and work is ongoing with the HEA with a view to implementing the remaining recommendations. The report also recognises that the ICT industry must play a lead role in promoting the benefits of careers in their sector if demand for places is to recover and grow.

Review of Programmes managed by Teacher Education published October 2008

The Value for Money Review of Programmes Managed by Teacher Education Section (TES) encompassed the three main policy areas in which the TES is involved and for which the TES has overall responsibility for policy formulation, co-ordination, general direction and management, quality control and financial control: (i) initial teacher education; (ii) induction; and (iii) continuing professional development.

The VFMR contained a large number of recommendations relating to the three areas above. In brief it can be said that the recommendations focussed on moving to the provision of more targeted services based on user feedback and needs analyses, on reducing overlap and rationalising services where appropriate, and on creating other operational and financial efficiencies.

As a result of the recommendations many changes have been implemented and the TES continues to progress other identified targets.

Review of Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centres published April 2008

The Value For Money (VFM) Review of the Youthreach and Senior Traveller Training Centre (STTC) programmes funded by the Department of Education and Science was completed and published in 2008.

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

The Review provides a basis 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.

October 2008 budget announced the reduction of 100 places on the STTC programme from 1st September 2009. This is part of the phasing out of STTCs as recommended in the Value for Money Report.

Review of the Supply Teacher Scheme for Primary Schools.

In February, 2003 DES commissioned Talbot Associates Management Consultants to review the operation of the Scheme. The review allowed a valuable opportunity to examine this scheme comprehensively with regard to resource implications.

The Review made a number of findings on value for money aspects of the scheme including the fact that the supply scheme is an expensive way of providing teacher substitution. This is primarily because of the higher rate of remuneration for a permanent teacher as against that of a substitute. However, due to the fact that substitute teachers are now entitled to incremental credit in respect of that service arising from the implementation of Part-time Workers legislation, the employment of casual substitutes may prove as costly as scheme substitutes in terms of salary in the future. Expansion of the scheme on existing terms would involve additional travel costs.

The industrial relations and other implications of the recommendations are being considered in the context of what is achievable within available resources.

Small Schools Scheme and the Permanent Accommodation Scheme

This review was carried out to determine the value to the building programme of the Small Schools Initiative (SSI) and the Permanent Accommodation Initiative (PAI), devolving funding and responsibility on school management authorities (SMAs) to enable them to manage and complete their own building projects.

The review found that the schemes provided value for money for the taxpayer with effective funding control mechanisms. The schemes met accommodation deficits in schools in a satisfactory manner. The review found that devolution of funding and responsibility to SMAs worked well but suggested additional advice and information on their duties be provided to the SMAs.

The majority of the recommendations contained in the review have been implemented resulting in increased administrative efficiencies in the administration of the schemes which allowed almost 400 schools to benefit from funding under the SSS between 2003 and 2007 while an additional 625 classrooms and 275 resource rooms were provided in schools around the country under the Permanent Accommodation Scheme.

Review of Youth Encounter Projects.

A Value For Money Review on Youth Encounter Projects was carried out between 2005 and 2007.

The overall view of the Steering Committee who undertook the review was positive. The committee concluded that the schools follow appropriate objectives and are largely successful in achieving them. It did, however, identify certain issues around efficiency and effectiveness.

Its report contained 51 recommendations in all, 12 of which have been implemented and a further 9 of which are expected to be implemented this year."

Review of ICT Support Services for Schools.

The ICT Support Service for Schools was introduced as part of the overarching ICT in Schools Programme to advance and embed the use of ICTs in schools. The Value for Money Review of the ICT Support Service for Schools, was published in 2008 and the elements reviewed included the work of the ICT Advisory Service, the two ICT Education Officer posts in the NCCA and the work of the NCTE on its Teaching Skills Initiative, its School Support Initiative and its Innovative Projects Initiative.

While concluding that the ICT Support Service was generally effective and efficient, the report found that the resources utilised by the ICT Advisory service operating from the regional Education Centres would be better employed focusing supports for ICT leadership and change within each school. The review also highlighted the need to ensure that the integration of ICT is specifically incorporated into all the support service activities funded by the DES and that it is recognised as an integral part of all curriculum development, support and training, rather than an optional add-on. In these circumstances, contracts for 18 ICT Advisor posts were not renewed into 2009, and the NCTE has prioritised its ongoing work with the support services in the Department and the provision of a range of ICT continuing professional development for teachers.

The report further recommended that appropriate professional development and support be targeted for ICT co-ordinating teachers in schools — in that context, the role of the ICT Co-ordinator is being prioritised, with the support of the school principal, as central in the provision of ongoing ICT support and advice to teachers. Nationwide seminars on e-learning, which targeted ICT coordinating teachers in post-primary schools, were held late last year. It is planned to hold a further tranche of seminars targeting primary ICT co-ordinating teachers in 2009. An on-line professional development course for ICT coordinating teachers on developing an e-Learning plan in schools is currently in development. This follows their attendance at e-planning workshops. NCTE is finalising a handbook for e-Planning in schools — Planning and Implementing e-Learning in your School — as well as a roadmap for ICT integration.

Other key recommendations being progressed include:

NCTE has successfully established a Virtual Learning Environment community of practice for post-primary ICT Co-ordinating teachers

Work is continuing in the NCTE on the development of video models to support implementation of the Framework for ICT in Curriculum and Assessment

Ongoing increase in the development and availability of subject specific learning resources on Scoilnet.