Vol. 479 No. 3
119 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the polls and qualitative research, if any, commissioned or carried out by him Department since December 1994, including details of the companies which conducted them and the cost of each poll or item of research. [13107/97]
My Department has not commissioned or carried out any polls during the period since 1994. With regard to qualitative research, the Deputy will appreciate that the carrying out of such research is a normal feature of day-to-day departmental administration and it would not be practicable to provide detailed information on every study and review commissioned or requested by me in the period since 1994. However, I have endeavoured to furnish a comprehensive reply.
In cases where the study or review is mainly comprised of an outside consultancy assignment, it is possible to provide the information requested and this is set out in Table 1.
A number of other major policy reviews were also initiated by me and are listed in Table 2. These were, or are being, carried out mainly internally in my Department with some limited external consultancy input.
Table 1
|
Name |
Nature of Consultancy |
Gross Cost (except where stated) |
Actions since completion of study-review |
|
Irish International Advertising; Comerford Technology; Mr. James McDevitt; Technometrics; Irish International Production |
Series of studies on Science and Technology topics arising from the Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council |
£1,675£208£2,250£2,420£7,260(all payments made in 1995 — excl. of VAT) |
The White Paper contains 50 Government Decisions which are at various stages of implementation. A Monitoring Group has been set up to oversee the implementation process. |
|
White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation |
£29,703(Publication and Printing) |
||
|
Investment Bank of Ireland Corporate Finance Limited |
Advisors to Government on sale of Irish Steel Ltd. including identification of strategic partner for Irish Steel |
£239,435 |
Sale of Irish Steel to Ispat International completed 31/5/96. |
|
A & L Goodbody Solicitors |
Legal advisors to Government during process of sale of Irish Steel |
£257,972.23 |
Sale of Irish Steel to Ispat International completed 31/5/96. |
|
Environmental Management and Auditing Services Ltd. |
Environmental Consultants to Government on sale of Irish Steel |
£19,073.10 |
Sale of Irish Steel to Ispat International completed 31/5/96. |
|
Hay MSL |
Management study for Department Strategic Management Initiative |
£17,840.88(paid in 1995) |
Has provided input into improved Human Resource Management practices in the Department. |
|
Indecon (Ireland) |
Consultancy work on S.M.I. |
£2,226.40 |
|
|
A study of steel prices |
Independent information on the market for steel in Ireland and the UK to assist in the assessment of a complaint made to the Department concerning steel prices |
£2,662 |
The results of the study, which indicated that there did not appear to be any grounds generally for complaint, were conveyed to the complainant. |
|
ESRI |
Annual School Leaver survey |
£37,624(paid in 1995) |
|
|
Dave Walsh & Associates Management and Training Consultants |
Consultancy Support for Aer Lingus Task Force |
£7,000(paid in 1995) |
|
|
Mr. J. Joyce, Actuary |
Provision of actuarial advice for Insurance Division |
£85,960 in 1995 and £85,970 in 1996 £15,246 to date in 1997 |
|
|
Coopers & Lybrand |
Information Technology Project in the Department |
£40,000 plus VAT (of which £30,536 paid in 1995 and £17,083 in 1996) |
Report formed basis for redevelopment of computer system in Companies Registration Office which is currently being implemented. |
|
Commission on the Newspaper Industry |
To assist the Commission on the Newspaper Industry in its deliberations |
£57,800 |
Report Published of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry in 1996. |
|
Minister intends to revert to Government regarding legislation in relation to recommendations within his area of responsibility. |
|||
|
Study on the Newspaper Industry in Ireland |
To obtain an independent assessment of certain aspects of the Newspaper Industry in Ireland |
£4,500 |
The results of the study were considered in the context of the Competition Authority's interim report of its study of the Newspaper Industry (1995). |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
Information Technology Project in the Department |
£131,774 plus VAT £80,615 paid in 1995 and £74,590 in 1996 |
Development of system to automate the work of the redundancy and Insolvency Section of the Department. |
|
Quest |
Information Technology Project in the Department |
£1,500 plus VAT £8,984 paid in 1996 |
Development of computer systems in the Employment Appeals Tribunal which are now in operation. |
|
Ernst & Young |
Information Technology Project in the Department |
£17,787 £17,801 paid in 1995 |
Report formed basis for redevelopment of procedures in Companies Registration Office which are being implemented in conjunction with the computer redevelopment project. |
|
EPS Computer Systems |
Information Technology Project in the Department |
£4,235 paid in March 1996 |
Development of computer system in Labour Court which is now in operation. |
|
Ernst & Young |
External evaluator of the EU Operational Programme for Industrial Development 1994-1999 |
£354,000 (Co-financed — £34,475 paid in 1996, £40,090.93 to date in 1997) |
|
|
Ernst & Young |
Medium Term Review of RETEX Operational Programme |
£42,000 (Co-financed) |
|
Name |
Nature of Consultancy |
Gross Cost (except where stated) |
Actions since completion of study-review |
|
Management Services Unit of Department of Finance |
Study of work practices of the Patents Office |
No cost to Department of Enterprise and Employment will arise as work is being undertaken by Department of Finance |
The recommendations of the study carried out by the Management Services Unit of the Department of Finance are being considered by the Department of Enterprise and Employment and the Patents Office in the context of the decentralisation of the Patents Office to Kilkenny. |
|
Management Services Unit of Department of Finance |
Study of work practices of the Employment Appeals Tribunal |
No cost to Department of Enterprise and Employment will arise as work is being undertaken by Department of Finance |
|
|
Mr. Brian Lenihan, Department of Finance |
Review of the Crafts Council of Ireland |
No Cost |
|
|
Eustace Patterson |
Development of performance -impact indicator for the Local Employment Service |
£4,065 |
The “Performance Indicator Model” has been issued to all 18 LES areas for use in the monitoring of the effectiveness of the LES. |
|
The National Council for Educational Awards |
Assessment of educational standards of the Institute of Incorporated Public Accountants (IIPA) in connection with IIPA request for recognition under the Companies Act, 1990 |
No cost to Department |
As a result of the consultancy the Minister was enabled to grant recognition to the IIPA under the Companies Acts 1963 and 1990. |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants Ltd., Dublin |
External appraisal of CEB Enterprise Plans |
£18,392 |
|
|
University of Limerick |
Information technology requirements of County Enterprise Boards |
£14,520 £4,356 paid to date |
|
|
Mr. Arthur Nowlan, A.C.I.S., D.P.A., Blackrock, County Dublin |
Preparation of accounting procedures for the County Enterprise Boards |
£3,150 |
|
|
Study by an economist (Professor P. McNutt) of the Competition Authority's report on the takeover of Conoco Ireland Limited by Statoil Ireland Limited |
An independent economic assessment of the Competition Authority's reports and its recommendation that the proposed take-over be prohibited and to advise the Minister in relation to same in the context of the appeal by the parties to the High Court |
£4,184.78 |
As the High Court proceedings were withdrawn by the parties and a revised proposal was submitted to the Minister no follow up action was necessary. |
|
AIB Capital Markets Finance |
Study in IFI |
£42,350 (to date) |
Draft report being considered by the Department. |
|
KMPG |
Assistance to Task Force on Enterprise and Employment |
£13,495 |
Final report presented to the Minister in March, 1997. |
|
Competition and Mergers Review Group |
To review and make recommendations on: |
||
|
—the mergers legislation in the context of a legislative consolidation; |
|||
|
—the effectiveness of Competition legislation and associated regulations; |
£20,000 for 1996 and 1997 |
The Review Group, which was established in September, 1996, has not completed its work. It |
|
|
—cultural matters in the context of the Competition Act, 1991 and in particular section 4 (2) of that Act; |
is envisaged that the Group will require twelve months at least to complete its work. |
||
|
—appropriate structures for implementing the above legislation |
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|
ESRI/UCD Business School |
A contribution by the Department to the cost of the human resource management practices element of a national survey by ESRI/UCD of enterprise operations |
£24,000 |
Survey is ongoing. |
|
Planned Sharing Research Association |
Pilot study on partnership in enterprise through operations cost savings and profit-sharing |
£11,000 |
Study is ongoing. |
|
ESRI |
Purchase of ESRI's SWITCH tax-benefit model |
£5,000 |
Used as an analytical tool within the Department of Enterprise and Employment. |
|
Fitzpatrick and Associates |
Report on Social Economy |
£15,000 |
Study not yet completed. |
|
ESRI |
Examination and Monitoring of labour market replacement rates |
£29,400 |
Study ongoing. |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants |
Survey of Payment Practices in Public Sectors |
£20,267.50 |
Prompt Payment of Accounts Bill, 1997 published on 11 April, 1997. |
|
FORFAS |
Initial evaluation of the Local Employment Service |
No cost to the Departments of Enterprise and Employment as Forfas undertook evaluation from within its existing resources |
Evaluation is complete. A national seminar was held on 6-7 March, 1997 to consider the report. A list of “action points” has been drawn up and circulated to LES areas for consideration. |
|
Review of Fees Structure in the Companies Registration Office |
Report on Costs and Recommended Charges |
£18,319.40 |
The Attorney General has been asked to prepare a statutory instrument. |
|
Insurance costs in Ireland |
Economic evaluation of insurance costs in Ireland |
£82,500 + VAT |
The Report made a number of recommendations aimed at reducing the burden of insurance costs on economic activity. These recommendations are being progressively implemented. Following a major recommendation in the Report a special working group was established to advise the Government on the establishment of a personal injuries tribunal. The working Group has consulted all the relevant representative bodies and groups and has finalised its report on this aspect of its work. The Group is proceeding to the second stage of its assignment i.e. to look at alternative systems to the tort system of delivering compensation for personal injury. |
|
New Computer System in the Companies Registration Office |
Business Process Re-engineering Study |
£17,801 |
Recommendations incorporated in tender documents issued for development of a new computer system. |
|
Mr. Michael McNamara Management Consultant |
Study of the Trade Marks Examination Area of the Patents Office |
Invoice has not yet been received but it is expected to be less than £5,000 |
Report due shortly. |
|
ITS Belfast |
Evaluation of (CORI) Pilot Parttime Job Opportunities Programme |
£22,000 (will be funded from CE budget) |
Final report expected in next fortnight. |
|
Mr. Trutz Hasse, Social and Economic Consultant |
Research project into data sources on new firm formation |
Total cost £8,230 £2,743 paid to date |
Ongoing. |
|
O'Reilly Consultants |
Manual of Accounting Procedures |
Total cost £6,292 £4,194 paid to date |
|
|
Albert Ellis and Associates |
Responsibilities of CEB members |
Total cost £5,082 £3,388 paid to date |
|
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
The Market for Electronic Information Services for Professional Purposes: Members States — Ireland |
£36,527 Department's contribution: £4,537 EU contribution: £15,094 Agencies: £16,896 |
This study was aggregated with similar studies from Member States of the European Economic Area (EEA) to produce a report entitled “The Markets for Electronic Information Services in the EEA”. The purpose of the study was to record the current state of the market and it did not require any follow-up. |
|
Paul Stokes |
The Supply and Demand for Computer/IT Personnel in Ireland 1995-2000 |
£16,929 (paid by Forbairt and the Higher Education Authority) Department's contribution: nil |
A Working Group was convened consisting of representatives of the Higher Education Authority and the Departments of Education, Finance and Enterprise and Employment. Much progress has been made including an increase of 1,200 in university computing places over the next five years and significant numbers in conversion courses. On 4 March 1997, the Government announced an Action Plan on Skills, including measures to address the shortage of computing graduates, which is currently being implemented. |
|
Oracle Ireland |
Information Technology Project in the Department |
£137,335 in 1996 |
Ongoing update of Systems. |
|
Clear Systems Solutions |
Information Technology Project in the Department |
£13,219.25 |
Ongoing update of Systems. |
|
The Softward Vineyard Ltd. |
Information Technology Project in the Department |
£6,050 |
Ongoing update of Systems. |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
Economic evaluation of Insurance Costs in Ireland |
£99,825 |
A programme of follow-up action is being undertaken to implement the recommendations in the consultancy report |
|
Subject |
Consultancy Input |
|
Human Resources Development |
|
|
An internal review is under way of national policy in the area of human resources development. This will result in the publication of a White Paper. |
Mr. Paul Tansey has been paid £11,495 for consultancy work in connection with the White Paper. |
|
Equity Capital Survey |
|
|
Carried out in 1995 to assess the equity capital needs of indigenous Irish industry. |
Research carried out using internal Departmental resources. |
|
Business Expansion Scheme Review |
|
|
Carried out in 1995 to guage the employment creation record of the scheme. |
Research carried out using internal Departmental resources. |
|
Small Business Enterprise Loan Scheme Review |
|
|
Carried out in 1996 to determine the employment creation record of this scheme. |
Research carried out using internal Departmental resources. |
|
Labour Market Strategy |
|
|
The Planning Unit of my Department were engaged for some months in a review of Labour Market Strategy and a report was published last April. Provides a strategic framework for formulation of labour market policies. |
While the greater part of the work was carried out in-house, some costs arose in relation to publication of the document. These costs totalled £16,000. |
|
A Government Policy for Services — Employment Through the Millennium |
Fitzpatrick Associates provided assistance in completing the Government Strategy (published on 13 March, 1997) at an approximate cost of £5,000. |
|
Enterprise Strategy |
|
|
Work Undertaken |
Consultancy — Fitzpatrick Associates |
|
Input to drafting of Enterprise Strategy Statement |
Cost £11,000 excl. VAT |
|
Measures (Action Taken) |
|
|
The Enterprise Strategy is nearing completion |
|
Name of Study-Review |
Nature of Consultancy |
Total Cost (incl. VAT) |
Action since Completion |
|
Mid Term Evaluation of the Human Resources Development Operational Programme |
Mid term evaluation of this 1994-99 programme supported by EU Structural Funds |
£68,970* |
Work in hand — not complete |
|
Mid Term Evaluation of the EMPLOYMENT and ADAPT Operational Programme |
Mid term evaluation of these 1994-99 Community Initiatives supported by EU Structural Funds |
£21,659* |
Work in hand — not complete |
|
Study — The Extent of Provision of Publicly Funded Childcare in Ireland |
Study at request of EU Commission in context of work of Human Resources Development Operational Programme Monitoring Committee |
£1,000* |
Study incorporated into a Working Group report to the Human Resources Development Operational Programme Monitoring Committee |
|
Mid Term Review of the Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development, 1994-99 (under which CEBs are co-financed) |
Study on the effectiveness of grants provided by CEBs in 1994 and 1995 [part of Mid term Review] |
Total cost £22,064 £9,554 paid to date |
