Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 438: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the value for money reviews that have been undertaken in respect of Údarás na Gaeltachta; the conclusions and recommendations that were reached in any such review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31259/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2000, my Department engaged economic consultants Indecon to carry out an independent review of the expenditure programmes of Údarás na Gaeltachta. A summary of the consultants' recommendations is set out in Appendix 1 below. My Department has, over the past number of years, worked closely with An tÚdarás to implement these recommendations, insofar as practicable. While some of the recommendations were outside the direct remit of my Department, many have been implemented, in part or in full. The Deputy will, of course, be aware that the future remit of An tÚdarás will fall to be considered in the context of the draft 20-year Strategy on Irish, which has been under consideration by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The report of the Committee is expected shortly and I hope to proceed thereafter with submitting the draft Strategy for final approval by Government. APPENDIX1: Summary of recommendations from Indecon review of the expenditure programmes of Údarás na Gaeltachta Recommendation 1: There is a need to utilise a wide range of policy initiatives including some which are outside of the remit of current Údarás programmes if the objectives for the Gaeltacht are to be realised in the most effective manner. Recommendation 2: Consideration should be given to the relocation of public sector funded services employment to Gaeltacht areas. Recommendation 3: There is a need for significant infrastructural development in the Gaeltacht, particularly in the areas of energy and telecommunications. Recommendation 4: The National Education and Training Systems should seek to address the educational attainment deficit among present Gaeltacht residents. Recommendation 5: Measures should be taken to reduce the average cost of most jobs sustained in firms assisted by An tÚdarás. Recommendation 6: Differential targets for cost per job sustained will be appropriate for remaining areas of high unemployment and for higher skilled knowledge based sectors. A maximum cost per job should, however, be applied to all projects. Recommendation 7: Reliance on Traditional Sectors in Manufacturing should be reduced. Recommendation 8: An agreed national policy should be put in place which will give priority to the Gaeltacht for the location of projects in certain niche sectors. Recommendation 9: Higher priority should be given to avoiding potential deadweight in industrial incentives programmes. Recommendation 10: The education and skills base in the Gaeltacht should be enhanced through initiatives by An tÚdarás and other organisations. The concept of life-long learning should be central Údaras policy. Recommendation 11: An tÚdarás should adjust its own training activities to increase emphasis on transferability of skills and external certification of training. It should also focus attention on management development. Recommendation 12: An tÚdarás should work with other agencies to promote an optimal mix of active labour market measures. Involvement with social economy should be redirected in line with national changes, including involvement with the new Social Economy Programme Recommendation 13: The terms under which Údarás equity is provided should be adjusted to enhance the prospects of financial returns. Recommendation 14: Significant revisions to Údarás property development activities should be pursued, including the rationalisation of the land bank, the sale of building to existing tenants, and the involvement of the private sector in new building projects on a partnership basis. There should be an explicit rationale for property decisions within the context of managing property as a resource. Recommendation 15: Adjustments should be made to the grants for small industries programme to attempt to reduce the high attrition rate. Recommendation 16: Improvements are needed to provide on-going information to monitor the effectiveness of Údarás projects. Recommendation 17: An tÚdarás should continue to develop partnership relationships with local communities and organisations.