John Bruton
Question:122 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the terms of reference of the consultancy review (details supplied) of the Exchequer subvention to CIE; and when this will be completed and published. [11341/99]
Written Answers. - Consultancy Review.
The terms of reference for this consultancy were as follows: specify the objectives of expenditure provided by the Exchequer to fund CIE's operations; review the conclusions and recommendations of the 1995 Coopers & Lybrand report in light of developments and make appropriate recommendations; review the basis on which public service contracts are about to be introduced between the Department of Public Enterprise and CIE taking account of the Coopers & Lybrand report in this regard, with particular reference to costing of services and the need to ensure compliance with the contracts without adversely affecting the level and quality of existing services; consider the question of benchmarking CIE's services for possible use in the evolution of PSCs; consider and make recommendations on the optimum use to be made of PSCs with a view to encouraging customer service in a cost efficient environment.
The consultant's report was submitted to the Departments of Public Enterprise and Finance in August 1998. It was commissioned by the two Departments in order to assist them in an examination of the CIE Exchequer subvention. This examination forms part of the SMI expenditure review programme being carried out by the Department of Finance and no decision has yet been taken on the publication of the report.