Vol. 327 No. 10
asked the Minister for the Environment why he has only increased the grant-in-aid to An Foras Forbartha by £13,000 from £1,987,000 to £2 million for the year 1981 which represents a net decrease in funds having regard to the rate of inflation; if he will indicate if this constitutes a downgrading of the role of An Foras Forbartha; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
asked the Minister for the Environment if, within the context of the overall review of scientific and research agencies being undertaken by the National Board for Science and Technology, his Department envisages a significantly reduced role for An Foras Forbartha; and if he will indicate the functions of An Foras Forbartha and which of the various programmes under environmental planning, management and development his Department feels require to be run-down having regard to the reduced budget allocation for 1981.
25.
asked the Minister for the Environment if discussions have been held, and if so with whom, about the ways in which sections of the environmental management and quality assessment programmes of An Foras Forbartha could be, or may be, transferred to the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
26.
asked the Minister for the Environment the percentage increase in the grant-in-aid payable to An Foras Forbartha in 1981 over 1980.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions numbered 23 to 26, inclusive, together. The percentage increase in the grant-in-aid payable to An Foras Forbartha in 1981 over 1980 is 0.65 per cent.
When the grant-in-aid to An Foras Forbartha for 1981 was fixed at £2 million it was also decided that a review of the programme and operations of the Foras should be carried out.
It will be a matter for the board to decide in the usual way on the priorities to be observed consistent with the overall grant provision. The review to which I have referred will be concerned with the purpose, suitability and adequacy of the existing programmes of the Foras in relation to needs; with the changes that might be made and the implications of change; with the possibilities for better co-operation with other institutes, including the question of possible amalgamation with the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards.
The Foras has been in operation since 1964. I believe that it is timely and appropriate that there should be a re-examination of the kind I have described of its role and functions; of the way in which it works, and of its relationships with other bodies, in the light of experience and taking account of future needs.
This decision does not mean that a diminished importance is attached to research and advisory work in the areas in which the Foras operates. Nor does it necessarily imply a reduced role for the Foras. What it means, essentially is that the Government are concerned to indentify and bring about the most efficient and cost-effective arrangements for carrying out the programmes that are identified as relevant and necessary and to that end are prepared to look fundamentally at established arrangements.
The review will be conducted by my Department with the assistance of an inter-departmental group which will include representation of other Departments concerned. The NBST will be closely involved in the review and will also be represented on the group.
There have been no discussions of the kind referred to about particular programmes.
Is the Minister aware, first, that there is a carry-over of expenditure from the previous year of approximately £100,000 which will effectively mean that the increase to an Foras Forbartha this year is less in real terms than it was last year? Secondly, is he aware that An Foras Forbartha is facing the prospect of redundancy by April this year unless firm financial commitments are made by his Department to the executive and the staff in that body
I am aware that there was a carry-over from last year. As regards the lay-offs spoken of by the Deputy I do not see any need at this stage to speak in such terms. I think the Deputy will accept that it is necessary in any operation going since 1964 to have a total review of the operation and that is what is involved here. It is no threat to jobs or anything else, just a major review of the situation.
Will the Minister give the House a clear assurance now that can be directly communicated to the workers in An Foras Forbartha that the Department and the Minister for the Environment will ensure that adequate funds will be made available so that no redundancies will take place within the next few months in An Foras Forbartha?
The Deputy can rest assured that the services of the professional staff in An Foras Forbartha are well appreciated by the Minister. I can also assure him that in the arrangements to be made in the future all staff and personnel problems will be attended to.
In the meantime they could lose their jobs.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
