Vol. 535 No. 1
220 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will outline a report on the systems investigation and training section which was established in 1992 within the intervention unit in his Department; if he has satisfied himself with the efficiency of this section; if he will report on the success or otherwise of this initiative to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11936/01]
The systems investigation and training section of the intervention unit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development was established in 1992 as part of the restructuring of control operations in the area of beef intervention and beef export refunds.
Since 1994 this work has been subsumed into the work of the beef controls division – BCD – under the direction of a senior superintending veterinary inspector. The BCD is responsible for ensuring that adequate and appropriate systems of control exist in those beef plants where beef market supports systems such as intervention, export refunds and purchase for destruction, are in operation.
The beef controls division is also responsible for ensuring that the Department's officers in beef plants are fully informed of the requirements of the individual schemes. It organises conferences and training programmes for staff on a regular basis. The wider training needs of beef plant officers are the responsibility of the training unit of the Department.
Since 1992 further significant upgrading of systems and controls has been put in place. The specific requirements of the accreditation process under EU regulation are being observed while documentary controls and the development of the internal audit function within the Department have also helped to increase the Department's control capability. The upgrading of the beef market support control work, which began with the establishment of the systems investigation and training section, has progressed significantly since 1992. The various systems are under constant evaluation for improvement.
221 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of staff in the systems investigations and training sections in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11937/01]
The following is the position relating to the number of staff in the systems investigations and training sections in my Department. In system investigation: beef control division – seven; special investigation unit – 11; internal audit – 16; training, the total is 19.
