Vol. 529 No. 3
23 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if the review of business practices within the building unit of his Department has yet been completed; the main recommendations or conclusions of that review; the proposals to streamline practices within the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2755/01]
A review of business practices within the building unit of my Department is ongoing as an inherent part of good management practice.
To date the review has revealed a need for a more structured application process, a significantly greater role for schools' management authorities in all areas of project management; a more systematic approach in the matter of engaging design teams and speedier processing of projects.
There are two prerequisites to implementing and managing the desired changes: first, the updating of all documentation within the building unit and, second, dialogue as appropriate with all of the parties involved in the delivery of educational infrastructure, including the bodies representative of school management. I see a consultation process as fundamental to creating ownership of and ultimately full co-operation with the change process envisaged.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the update of documentation is expected to be completed by the end of this month. Thereafter, the dialogue phase of the process will begin.
