Vol. 516 No. 2
89 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the average number of hours per month in each of the past 12 months spent by officials of his Department on participation in the educational sub-groups of area partnerships; the cost associated with this participation; and if he will undertake an independent evaluation of this work. [7135/00]
Officials of my Department serve on a wide range of committees within and outside the Department. The representation includes individual nominees to the education sub-committees of each of the 38 area-based partnerships under the operational programme, 1994 to 1999. Despite the work demands on many of the officials involved this representation is continuing in the current year.
As my Department does not collect the data requested by the Deputy as a separate item, I am unable to supply the details regarding the specific cost of participation. There are no plans to carry out an independent evaluation of this work.
