Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 1

Written Answers. - Government Expenditure.

Louis J. Belton

Question:

89 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of the new procedures, if any, used prior to the fixing of the 1998 Estimates to assess the quality and effectiveness in public expenditure programmes as promised in An Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19613/97]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The Government's programme indicates that placing "Substantial emphasis on quality and effectiveness in public expenditure programmes" will be a key policy priority (An Action Programme for the Millennium, p.9).

I assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to meet this commitment.

In settling the 1998 Estimates, the Government gave detailed consideration to the expenditure allocations. Ensuring that programmes are run as efficiently and as effectively as possible formed a major part of that consideration.

However, it is also important that an emphasis on quality and effectiveness is built into the whole expenditure process if the commitment in the Government's programme is to be achieved.

Accordingly, in July, the Taoiseach announced that the Government had agreed a schedule of expenditure reviews to be carried out over the next 12 months as part of a three year programme of such reviews. Continuing review of public expenditure programmes is a central part of the public sector reforms being introduced under the Strategic Management Initiative.

The aims of these programme reviews are: (a) to provide a systematic analysis of what is actually being achieved by expenditure in each programme; (b) to provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made on priorities within and between spending programmes; and (c) to ensure that the public get good value for money.

The reviews are to be carried out jointly by individual Departments and the Department of Finance.