I propose to answer Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
The Agency for Personal Service Overseas has been in existence for 28 years and has been the principal vehicle through which thousands of Irish people have provided valuable personal service to the developing world.
The report to which the Deputy refers forms part of a process of review and evaluation which has been ongoing in APSO for some time, as the agency endeavours to ensure that its operations remain relevant and effective in a changing development environment. It was commissioned by the board of APSO and is currently being considered by the latter. I am aware of its contents. It has also informed the deliberations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee, which has completed a comprehensive review of the Ireland Aid programme, including APSO. The report of the committee will be published very shortly and will make recommendations on all aspects of Ireland Aid's work. These include general comments on the work done by APSO and suggestions in relation to its future role and structure.