Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

314. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the support his Department provides to the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, to provide critical economic and value for money analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29166/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for her question.

The Irish Government Economic and Evaluation service (IGEES), is an integrated, cross Government service that aims to support better policy formulation and implementation in the civil service through policy analysis and evaluation. Since its establishment in 2012, IGEES has expanded significantly, with over 300 economists and analysts now working across Departments, adding their skill set to the varied expertise working on policy analysis and formulation as directed by their Departmental business plans. IGEES has played an important role in strengthening policy analysis across the Civil Service, including through specialist recruitment, targeted learning and development, publication of analytical outputs and a focus on knowledge-sharing activities. These supports have been vital in building the analytical capacity needed to inform policy development and improve outcomes across Government.

Policy analysis is a core component of the public expenditure management and value for money frameworks. IGEES plays a key role in supporting all departments and offices in delivering on their value for money responsibilities through undertaking regular analysis of expenditure trends and policies. Alongside this, individual line Departments also maintain responsibility for conducting detailed policy analysis within their own sectors, contributing sector-specific insights and evidence to the wider policy making process. Reports are published on individual Departmental websites and where developed by IGEES, can also be accessed through the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service (IGEES) website.

Securing value for money is an ongoing priority for this Government and is at the heart of all decision making, at every stage of a policy or programme lifecycle. Delivering value for money is about securing the efficient and effective use of public resources in the pursuit of better public services, living standards and infrastructure for the people of Ireland. It is not solely concerned with costs and pricing; it also involves the consideration of quality, specialist expertise, and social and environmental impacts.

Value for Money requirements are underpinned by legislation and supported by a set of rules, guidelines and frameworks. These structures directly inform how all public bodies operate on a daily basis. A key role of my Department is the development, implementation, and continuous maintenance of these frameworks, which are essential in promoting and embedding value-for-money principles across the public service.

Achieving value for money is the responsibility of everyone involved in overseeing the use of public funds. Its delivery is dependent on the clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various structures across the system. In the coming weeks, I will bring a memo to Government with a statement on the delivery of value for money. This statement will clarify the guidance and procedures available to support the efficient and effective use of public resources. Furthermore, this document will reemphasise the roles and responsibilities of the various decision makers across the system in the delivery of value for money.