Vol. 487 No. 3
161 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the schedule of expenditure reviews which he proposes to carry out over the next 12 months as part of a three year programme of these reviews, giving details of the areas of expenditure being currently considered; when reports on these reviews are expected in each case; and the reviews likely to be commenced in the next 12 months. [1212/98]
The strategic management initiative provides for major changes to the financial management system. The central features of the new approach are a move to multi-annual budgeting and a clearer focus on the outputs or results of expenditure programmes. Departments will be given the maximum possible scope for managing the resources allocated to them.
As a counterpart to the greater delegation, each expenditure programme is to be subject to a thorough review every three years. The reviews will be carried out by the spending Departments under the aegis of steering groups drawn from the spending Department concerned and the Department of Finance.
In July 1997, the Government approved the first programme of spending reviews by all major Departments and Offices to be started in 1997. The Government also considered an indicative list of the reviews which might be started in the second and third years of the programme.
The 1997 reviews are currently under way. They are at varying stages. A small number have been completed, others are at an early stage. My Department has urged that the full programme be completed by the summer.
The responsibility for successfully carrying through a review lies with the Department responsible for the programme being reviewed. This reflects the responsibility and accountability that properly lies with Departments' managements.
In the summer, I intend to propose to the Government the programme of reviews for the second year. A decision on the future programme of reviews will take account of progress with the first round of reviews.
The main aim at this early stage is to ensure that the review process is introduced successfully and supports reform of the financial management system.
