Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the non-governmental organisations Ireland is engaged with in Uganda; the steps he has taken to review their activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48400/12]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland has had a bilateral aid programme with Uganda since 1994. Since starting our work in Uganda, we have witnessed huge improvements in the quality of life for the Ugandan people. Peace has returned to most of the country after generations of war. There are now 8.3 million pupils in primary schools compared to 2.5 million in 1997. The HIV prevalence rate has been reduced dramatically from 18% in the 1990s to just over 6% today. Most importantly, poverty has more than halved over the last two decades. These are real achievements, which have been made possible with the support of donors such as Ireland.

The provision of support to civil society through Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has been an essential factor in achieving real improvements in the well being of Ugandans. Details of the Irish, international and Ugandan NGOs that receive funding from Irish Aid for programmes in Uganda are detailed below.

It should be noted that funding proposals submitted by NGOs are rigorously appraised against clear criteria by Irish Aid staff both in Headquarters in Ireland and in the Irish Embassy in Kampala and, as appropriate by external experts. The criteria include a proven organisational capacity for the effective use of funding and an assessment of management and oversight systems within partner organisations. Departmental procedures to ensure that funding to the NGO sector is used for the intended purposes include regular field monitoring visits, annual narrative and financial reporting against agreed objectives and budgets, evaluations, audits and ongoing reviews of compliance. Audit is a fundamental component of good governance and the primary responsibility for complying with audit obligations rests with the NGOs funded by the Department. NGO partners must submit annual audited accounts to the Department as part of the annual reporting process.

I have witnessed on my recent trips to sub-Saharan Africa the excellent work being undertaken by many Irish and international NGOs funded by Irish Aid. I am personally very committed to working with NGOs, both large and small, to build their capacity to make a real difference on the ground in the countries that they operate. I am fully aware of the deep rooted historic support of the public to Irish NGOs working to improve the lives of those in developing nations. My Department will continue to support the work of NGOs in Uganda and in our other Programme Countries and will ensure that Irish Aid funding is directed to those areas most in need, is used for the purposes intended and represents the best value for money. I am committed to delivering on the commitment that all aid funded by the taxpayer, either through NGOs or through direct programmes, will benefit the poorest and most vulnerable in the countries where we are working.

2011 Irish Aid Funding to NGOs for programmes in Uganda

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans he has to review the auditing system of Irish ODA, any future changes to the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48401/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Internal Audit in my Department operates at all times to high standards in line with the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing as published by the Institute of Internal Auditors and, in this regard, our auditing systems have evolved quite considerably over the past number of years.

Audit assurance in my Department is delivered in a number of ways including audits directly undertaken by the Internal Audit Unit; Irish Aid Missions and selected partners are audited annually by commissioned internationally reputable audit firms; reliance on audit reports from the National Auditors General in partner countries, where Public Expenditure Financial Accountability or other assessments have given satisfactory ratings to these bodies, audits commissioned with other donors of jointly funded programmes.

The audit function of my Department is suitably staffed with qualified accountants at HQ and in Irish Aid missions and all staff have relevant experience in the delivery of aid programmes overseas.

External oversight of the audit function in my Department is carried out in a number of ways.

Firstly, the Controller &Auditor General reviews the operation of the Department’s Internal Audit function and places reliance on its work for the purpose of its annual report. This report is in turn examined by the Public Accounts Committee.

Secondly, my Department has in place a fully independent Audit Committee who reports to and advises the Secretary General. The Audit Committee provides oversight of the evaluation and audit function, reviews the work programme and audit policies, and assesses the operation of the Department’s system of Risk Management. The Audit Committee meets approximately 8 times each year, including annually with the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General. It publishes an annual report on its work.

The work of the Evaluation and Audit Unit in my Department is in line with international auditing standards employing a risk-based approach to determine its multi-annual workplan. This is approved by the Secretary General and overseen by the independent Audit Committee.

The role of audit has evolved in recent years to include reviews by my Department of partner Governments’ public financial management systems in countries where Irish Aid implements its development programmes. Evidence gathered from these reviews demonstrate that National Audit Offices (NAOs) are operating effectively. This in turn allows my Department to use National Audit Offices as part of our audit systems.

As part of the Evaluation and Audit Unit’s strategy to strengthen the capacity of National Audit Offices, my Department supports a global initiative known as the INTOSAI Donor Cooperation (International Organisation for Supreme Audit Institutions) and Ireland is a prominent member of this initiative providing both funding and in-kind support.

Regular reviews of the overall audit approach, audit work programmes and resources are undertaken by the Evaluation and Audit Unit to ensure that developments in audit keep abreast of the challenges posed by the expanding programme. As part of this process the Evaluation and Audit Unit proposed in 2011 that an external review of the audit systems employed by my Department be undertaken and this review is scheduled to take place in 2013. I look forward to the outcome of this review. In addition, the Evaluation and Audit constantly monitors its own performance and adjusts its operation to ensure maximum effectiveness.