Vol. 552 No. 1
99 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has studied the report of a company (details supplied) on the workings of the Agency for Personal Services Overseas; and if he has taken steps to see that the breakdown in relations between sections of management and staff referred to in the Report has been addressed in the intervening ten months. [10968/02]
100 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has asked the board of APSO for a detailed report on the action it has taken to address the issues raised in the report of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10969/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.
Since the previous reply to these questions, which was provided on 26 March 2002, the report of the Ireland Aid review committee has been endorsed by the Government and published. The review report, which makes recommendations on the entire Ireland Aid programme, includes proposals regarding the future role and structure of APSO.
The review report recognises the very valuable work carried out by APSO over a generation and the fact that it has been the vehicle by which thousands of Irish people have been able to serve in developing countries.
The review report fully recognises, as APSO has done, that fundamental questions have arisen concerning the role, functioning and future of the organisation in a situation in which development aid practice has been changing radically and the emphasis is now on building local capacity rather than employing expatriate volunteers. In this regard, the review committee has recommended that over time and on a planned and phased basis, APSO will be integrated into Ireland Aid. In this way, APSO's experience will be built upon and greater synergies attained, while its role and values are safeguarded.
The agency is perceived as having a particularly special role in working very closely with missionary organisations. It is intended that APSO will support missionaries both through the co-financing and training of personnel and through the administration of expanded programme funds. APSO will thus provide the missionaries with both financial assistance and strategic guidance.
