Vol. 410 No. 3
8 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if the Government have yet concluded their consideration of the review of the Office of Public Works by consultants (details supplied); if he will outline the Government's plans for the future of the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Consideration of the consultancy review of the Office of Public Works was a matter for the Minister for Finance. Arising from the recommendations in the review, I directed my Department and the Office of Public Works to prepare a programme for implementing many of the worthwhile and detailed proposals contained in the review. The programme of reform has now been approved and will be carried into effect over the next three years. The intention is to achieve more commercial management of the Office of Public Works' operations and to improve efficiency and effectiveness generally.
The acoustics did not enable me to hear whether the Minister has decided to act on the consultancy report and what precisely he intends to do with this, the oldest Department of State. Would he consider raising the restriction of the Office of Public Works in terms of outside contracts? Is there any good reason that a Department which has such expertise and experience within its workforce should not be entitled to tender for contracts outside the public service area?
I do not see that as part of the recommendations. It seems to be totally outside the scope of the question, but in deference to the Deputy I will look at the matter and let him know my views.
Has the Minister published the Price Waterhouse report on the Office of Public Works?
It is an internal report commissioned by the Minister for Finance. I have already announced that I have taken action in relation to many of the worthwhile recommendations regarding more commercial management of operations, especially in the property area but in many other areas as well, to make operations more efficient and cost effective, in the interests of everybody.
Having regard to less than 100 per cent efficiency for which the Office of Public Works are renowned, as the Committee of Public Accounts can testify, the Minister faces two choices. Either he can publish the report or it will be leaked. It would be in the interests of democracy that he should take the initiative and have it published.
There are leaks from time to time but this report has been available since early last year and it has not been leaked. I can assure the House that action has been taken on the many worthwhile recommendations.
Would the Minister consider publishing it?
As in the case of many other reports of this kind, there is no obligation to publish. Action is being taken in relation to many worthwhile recommendations.
This report cost £92,000 of taxpayers' money. The reason the Minister has given are not good enough to withhold it from public view.
They may not be good enough reasons for the Deputy but they are good enough for me as Minister for Finance, having responsibility to implement the worthwhile recommendations.
It is not the Minister's money.
I am responsible to the electorate for the money and I go before them like other Deputies. I will be in the same constituency as Deputy Connor next time. We will enjoy it, I am sure.
That is a very lame answer.
The Minister is lucky he is not chairman of Dublin County Council.
