Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has concerns regarding the value for money aspect of Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34137/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am concerned that all bodies funded from my Department's Vote should deliver value for money (VFM) outputs and outcomes, especially in the present difficult economic environment.

In the case of Údarás na Gaeltachta, the body is required to set out a range of outputs that it will deliver, both in the context of the National Development Plan and my own Department's Annual Output Statement. The outputs achieved by Údarás are reported on annually and those reports are laid before the Oireachtas.

It may be noted that Údarás was a participant with the State's other industrial development agencies in the Inter-Agency Group to Review VFM Indicators. Furthermore, with specific regard to capital expenditure, the organisation is subject to the Department of Finance's Capital Appraisal Guidelines, which require, inter alia, that business cases and post-project reviews be carried out in order to ensure VFM.

It should be noted also that the statutory remit of Údarás relates, not only to economic development, but also to a wider framework encompassing the linguistic and cultural development of the Gaeltacht. Clearly, any assessment of the delivery of VFM outcomes for Údarás must have regard to these different facets of the organisation's statutory remit.

Finally, I can confirm that Údarás has been subject to periodic VFM reviews and that its work is kept under active review by my Department.