Written Answers. - Departmental Reviews and Studies.
Máirín Quill
Question:
54
Miss Quill
asked the
Minister for Finance
if he will list each review and study commissioned by him since he took office; the title of such a review or study; whether the review or study is being completed within his Department or by external consultants; the names of any such consultants; the current state of preparation of each of these reviews or studies; and the cost of each review or study undertaken.
[14755/96]
The following is the information requested by the Deputy:
1. ESRI study on the economic implications for Ireland of European Monetary Union (EMU)
This study will take account of both direct and indirect economic effects, and address both short and longer-term impacts of European Monetary Union. It will identify the business sectors and the types of firms likely to be most affected and the range of impacts on the employment numbers which could be expected. The study is at an advanced stage and will soon be completed. It will be published in full towards the end of July. The fee for this study is £105,000.
2.Network Design Study — Phase 2
This study was completed in October 1995. The consultants used were Baltimore Technologies and the cost was £53,094.
3.Internal Reorganisation of Departments' Support-Consultancy Services
This study was completed in November 1995. The consultants used were Hay Management Consultants and the cost was £7,260.
4.Casino Task Force Report
This study has now been completed. There were no external consultants involved. The Casino Task Force was made up of representatives of Government Departments and State agencies with an interest in the matter. There were no particular costs associated with the study as existing staff and resources were employed.
5.Study on the impact of Voluntary Severance and Early Retirement on the Exchequer's Pension Liability to the Telecom Éireann Pension Fund for Pre-Vesting Day Service and an analysis on the quantification of the impact
This study was carried out by IPT Actuarial Services Ltd. The cost was £24,200 (inclusive of VAT).
6.Dublin Docklands Area Task Force
The report of this studyDeveloping Dublin's Docklands was published in May 1996. No consultants were used and there was no cost involved.
7.Interdepartmental Committee on Securitisation of Local Loans Funds
The Committee reported its findings in April 1995; a report was not published. No consultants were used and there was no cost involved.
8.Review of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
This Review is being conducted by Department of Finance staff. A draft report is being considered. No additional costs were incurred.
9.Special EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland 1995-99
As a precursor to the mid-term evaluation of this Programme, the European Commission asked that a Baseline Study of the area eligible under the Programme (viz Northern Ireland and the Border counties of Ireland) be carried out. Given their previous experience in carrying out studies relating to joint Ireland/Northern Ireland EU funded programmes, including this one, Colin Stutt was engaged by the Northern administration and KPMG was engaged to carry out the work in the Border counties.
The two separate sections of the study have been completed and an integrated final report has been examined by the Programme's joint Monitoring Committee and accepted as the basis for the mid-term evaluation. The total cost of the study (arising from the work carried out on this side of the Border) was £17,600 (VAT exclusive).
10.Virtual Private Networking Studies
VPN Voice Study was completed in June 1996; no external consultants were used. VPN Data Study was rescoped as part of a new study on interorganisational communications; no external consultants were used.
11.Internet Access Study
This report was completed in November 1995; no external consultants were used.
12.Information Dissemination in the electronic sphere
An interim report was presented to the Civil Service IT Group in November 1995. A working group is monitoring ongoing developments. No external consultants were used.
13.Evaluation of the economic impact of the Dublin International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)
This study was completed in November 1995. The consultants used were Price Waterhouse and Indecon International Economic Consultants. The cost of the study was £40,300.
14.Monitoring Group on Performance Related Pay in the Public Sector
This report was completed within the Department; no external consultants were used. The associated costs, other than direct staff costs, amounted to £143.00
15.Pension Fund Investment Study in association with Irish Association of Investment Managers
A study into the scope for increasing investment opportunities for Irish pension funds in the Irish economy was jointly commissioned earlier this year by the Irish Association of Investment Managers, the Irish Association of Pension Funds and the Department of Finance. This study is at present almost completed. The final cost is not yet settled but is of the order of £50,000 to be shared by the three sponsors.
16.Review into the current state of legislation and Revenue practice in relation to the taxation of pension provision in the context of changing work patterns and more flexible career paths
A joint working group involving the Department of Finance, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Irish Association of Pension Funds has been set up. The review has just recently commenced and there will be no consultancy cost involved.
17.Cross Border Workers Interdepartmental Committee
Last year I established an interdepartmental committee to investigate the issues involved in the taxation of cross-Border workers. The committee was made up of officials from the Department of Finance and from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The review was completed and the committee reported back to me last January. There was no direct cost associated with the review.
18.Business Expansion Scheme Review
A review of the Business Expansion Scheme was carried out by the Department of Finance in consultation with the Department of Enterprise and Employment and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The review has been completed and there was no direct cost involved.
Office of Public Works
The following studies were commissioned by the Commissioners of Public Works since the appointment of Mr. Hugh Coveney, TD, as Minister of State at the Department of Finance (all costs given are inclusive of VAT).
1.Evaluation of Systems and Procedures for the examination of rental payment commitments
The first stage of this study has been completed; the second stage is due for completion on the week ending 5 July 1996. The consultants used were Coopers & Lybrand and the cost was £37,000.
2.Review of Architectural Services Division
This review has been completed. The consultants used were P. E. Consulting and the cost was £27,500.
3.Review of Contract Procedures
This review has been completed. The consultants used were Healy Kelly & Partners and the cost was £9,256.00.
4.Advice on Contract Law
This study has been completed. Keane Murphy Duff were the consultants used and the cost was £7,139.00.
5.Financial Analysis of Waterford Decentralisation proposals
This study has been completed. KPMG provided the The consultancy and the cost was £3,630.00.
6.Analysis of Financial Proposals for new Environmental Protection Agency HQ at Johnstown Castle, Wexford
This study has now been completed. The cost was £4,840.00 and the consultants used were KPMG
7.Review of the State Property Maintenance Service
This review was conducted within the Office and is currently being finalised; the cost cannot be determined readily.
8.Review of the Project Management Plan for the Office of Public Works
This review is being conducted internally and is currently being finalised; the cost cannot be determined readily.
9.Flood Relief Schemes — Scoping Report
This study has now been completed. The consultants used were Messrs. CAAS Environment Services Ltd., Dublin 2 and the cost was £24,000.
10.Investigation of the Flooding Problems in the Gort-Ardrahan area of South Galway
This study is in progress and due for completion in July 1997. The consultants being used are Messrs. Jennings O Donovan, Sligo/Southern Water Global, London. The cost is £800,000.
11.Flood Relief Schemes — Various Preparation of Environmental Impact Statements
|
Title of Review Study
|
Internal/External Consultants
|
Name of Consultants
|
Current State of Preparation
|
Cost Including VAT
|
|
|
|
|
£
|
|
Carlow
|
External
|
Messrs. RPS Cairns, Cork
|
In progress, due for completion autumn 1996
|
41,000
|
|
Kilkenny
|
External
|
Messrs. RPS Cairns, Cork
|
In progress, due for completion autumn 1996
|
23,000
|
|
Dunmanway, County Cork
|
External
|
Messrs. RPS Cairns, Cork
|
In progress, due for completion autumn 1996
|
25,000
|
|
Duleek, County Meath
|
External
|
Messrs. RPS Cairns, Cork
|
In progress, due for completion summer 1996
|
18,000
|
|
Gort, County Galway
|
External
|
Messrs. RPS Cairns, Cork
|
In progress, due for completion summer 1996
|
16,500
|
|
Sixmilebridge, County Clare
|
External
|
Messrs. Environmental Impact Services Ltd., Dublin
|
Completed
|
27,000
|
|
Cappamore, County Limerick
|
External
|
Messrs. Environmental Consultancy Services Ltd., Blackrock, County Dublin
|
In progress, due for completion autumn 1996
|
73,000
|
|
Newport, County Tipperary
|
External
|
Messrs. Environmental Consultancy Services Ltd., Blackrock, County Dublin
|
In progress, due for completion autumn 1996
|
73,000
|
|
Williamstown, County Galway
|
External
|
Messrs. Environmental Consultancy Services Ltd., Blackrock, County Dublin
|
In progress, due for completion autumn 1996
|
30,000
|
12.Flood Relief Schemes — Various Preparation of Economic Evaluation
|
Title of Review Study
|
Internal/External Consultants
|
Name of Consultants
|
Current State of Preparation
|
Cost Including VAT
|
|
|
|
|
£
|
|
Sixmilebridge, County Clare
|
External
|
Messrs. Goodbody Economic Consultants Ltd., Dublin 4
|
Completed
|
6,000
|
|
Gort, County Galway
|
External
|
Messrs. Goodbody Economic Consultants Ltd., Dublin 4
|
In progress, due for completion summer 1996
|
3,000
|
|
Cappamore, County Limerick
|
External
|
Messrs. Fitzpatrick Associates, Dublin 2
|
In progress, due for completion autumn 1996
|
22,000
|
|
Newport, County Tipperary
|
External
|
Messrs. Fitzpatrick Associates, Dublin 2
|
In progress, due for completion autumn 1996
|
22,000
|
13.National Flood Relief Programme — Scoping Study
This study is currently in progress and due for completion in the autumn of 1996. The consultants being used are Messrs. Ove Arup and Partners, Dublin 4 and the cost is £15,000.
14.Urban Flood Relief at Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary
This study is currently in progress and due for completion in the spring of 1997. Messrs. E G Petit and Co. Cork are the consultants being used and the cost is £60,000.
15.Investigations of flooding problems in the Owenmore/Arrow River catchments, County Sligo
This study is in progress and due for completion in the autumn of 1996. The cost is £16,000 and the consultants are Messrs. ESB International, Dublin 2.
16.Preparation of Commercial Accounts for Central Engineering Workshop
Ernst and Young are the consultants used for this study which is currently in progress and due for completion in August 1996. The cost is £8,000.
17.Facade Defects in Hawkins House
Murray O Laoire Associates (Architects) were consultants employed for this study which has now been completed. The cost was £126,050.
18.Space Audit in National Gallery
This study has now been completed and was carried out by Healy-Kelly & Partners (Quantity Surveyors). The cost was £6,325.50
19.Planning Acts and Regulations
Fergal MacCabe (Architect and Town Planner) was the consultant employed for this review which has now been completed and cost £6,050.00
20.Various technical surveys and assessments in connection with datarequired for an architectural competition for a new wing to the National Gallery
Ove Arup & Partners are the consultants for the purpose of conducting these surveys which are currently in progress. Their cost is estimated at £22,000.00.
21.Review of Electrical & Heating Section
This study which has now been completed was conducted by Price Waterhouse at a cost of £14,475.
