Dáil Éireann - Volume 473 - 28 January, 1997

Written Answers. - Departmental Studies.

Mrs. O'Rourke Mrs. O'Rourke

85. Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach the number of reviews and studies undertaken by consultants or ordered from within his Department since he became Taoiseach; the purpose of each of these studies; the action, if any, which has followed since completion; and the cost of each review or study. [2067/97]

The Taoiseach John Bruton

The Taoiseach: The reviews undertaken by consultants or ordered from within my Department since my appointment as Taoiseach are outlined in the following schedule.

Additional information:

Note 1: Price Waterhouse — Review of the Irish Air Corps and Naval Services.

Price Waterhouse were asked to consider and make recommendations on:

—the appropriate numbers and grading of personnel to carry out the tasks assigned;

—the most effective management structure, taking particular account of the overall organisation of the Permanent Defence Forces and the need for close liaison with public and private sector organisations;

—appropriate systems of financial control, delegation and accountability;

—the optimum procurement and maintenance systems including stores-stock ordering;

—opportunities for civilisation and-or contracting out;

—the development of appropriate operational cost-benefit matrices and performance indicators for the medium to longer term.

In addition, the consultants should, in relation to the NAVY, make recommendations on the following issue:

—the required balance of resources as ship and shore operations and activities in order to maximise the availability of sea going personnel, so as to optimise the sea time of service vessels.

In relation to the AIR CORPS, the consultants should make recommendations on the following issues:

—the role and necessity for each element of the Air Corps fleet together with the number, composition and deployment of associated personnel;

—the training strategy and facilities necessary to meet requirements and in particular the extent to which aspects relating to training should be undertaken by outside agencies.

Note 2: Deloitte and Touche — SMI Review of the Garda Síochána

The following are the terms of reference for the study:

(a) to examine the operation of the Garda Síochána, against the background of the challenges it now faces and is likely to face;

(b) to consider the relationship between the Garda Síochána and the State agencies in the broad crime area, and

(c) to make recommendations to the Government at the earliest opportunity for change that would be likely to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána, including the timescale for implementation, in relation in particular to:

—the role and functions of the force;

—its management structures and systems;

—policing practices;

—manpower and other resource issues;

—training and development;

—deployment of resources, including manpower.

Mrs. O'Rourke Mrs. O'Rourke

86. Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of reviews and studies undertaken by consultants or ordered from within his Department since he became Minister; the purpose of each of these studies; the action, if any, which has followed since completion; and the cost of each review or study. [2078/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring) Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring): Since my appointment as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs on 15 December 1994 the following reviews and studies have been undertaken by consultants at the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Tánaiste:

Department of Foreign Affairs — Vote for Foreign Affairs

A total of three studies or reviews were conducted by consultants and the costs arising were charged to the Vote for Foreign Affairs. Following are the relevant details.

1695

[1695] A review of the structure and the functions of the Department's Legal Division was conducted during this period. Arising out of this, a number of measures have been taken to strengthen the staffing and effective functioning of the Legal Division. The cost of this consultancy was £49,331.77.

A consultancy study was undertaken to develop a new performance appraisal scheme for diplomatic officers. The costs to date are £30,954.20. The study will be completed shortly.

Last year a study was commissioned and received by the Anglo-Irish and Information Division entitled Choosing an electoral system for elections to an elected body in Northern Ireland. The cost of this study was £1,500.

1696

A further review was ordered in my Department during this period. The Anglo-Irish and Information Division engaged a firm of consultants in July 1996 to evaluate applications for funding received under the Co-operation between Public Bodies Measures for which my [1696] Department has responsibility for implementation and monitoring under the EU Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border counties of Ireland. A fee of £4,356 was agreed with the consultant, of which £1,936 has been paid to date. The work has been fully completed and delivered to my Department. While the commissioning of the review was made by my Department, the actual cost will be met from the technical assistance subprogramme of the EU Support Programme in the Vote of the Department of Finance.

Department of Foreign Affairs — Vote for International Co-operation

A total of 43 studies or reviews were conducted by consultants and the costs arising were charged to the vote for International Co-operation. The studies were carried out as part of the ongoing supervision and management of the Irish aid programme. The findings have been incorporated in the arrangements for the implementations of the programmes concerned. Following are the relevant details.

1697 1698

[1697] [1698]

In addition to the above-mentioned studies carried out by outside consultants, there have been periodic reviews of departmental activities by management of the Departmental as part of their ongoing responsibility to provide the best possible service and to use the Department's resources most efficiently and effectively.

Office of the Tánaiste

A total of four studies or reviews were conducted by consultants at a total estimated cost of £49,210.62. Following are the relevant details.

A study on employment options for the long-term unemployed for the Task Force on Long-term Unemployment was conducted in 1995. The task force published its report in December 1995 and its recommendations are currently being implemented by the Minister for Enterprise and Employment. The costs were £26,920.87.

A consultant prepared a seminar report for the working group on unemployment in the context of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy. The development of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy is ongoing. The cost amounted to £3,025.

A study is under way to explore the potential of the social economy to provide employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed. This is being financed jointly with the Department of Enterprise and Employment. The cost to the Office of the Tánaiste is £14,264.75.

A research study relating to violence against women in the context of the work being carried out by the working group on violence against women has been recently completed. The working group is due to report in 1997. The estimated cost is £5,000

Dáil Éireann 473 Written Answers. Departmental Studies.

Questions

19970128