Fergus O'Dowd
Question:44 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proposal of an evaluation unit within his Department for independently evaluating capital projects, as proposed by the ESRI. [30148/03]
Written Answers. - Capital Projects Evaluation Unit.
In my reply to Question No. 81 of today, I set out a number of initiatives which will have an impact in this area, namely, the introduction of rolling five year capital envelopes and proposed changes to the procurement of construction contracts as announced in my recent Budget Statement. I am also planning to revise the guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital projects. These are all designed to address cost overruns on projects, enhance the quality of project management and appraisal, including the conduct of more rigorous cost benefit analysis, and to promote better value for money generally.
The NDP/CSF evaluation unit has been engaging with my Department on ongoing work on the revision of the capital appraisal guidelines. The unit is an independent evaluation unit which is co-financed by the Exchequer and the EU and has responsibility under the direction of the technical assistance monitoring committee for evaluation of the NDP operational programmes and related issues. In this regard it has engaged in, or overseen, a number of evaluations since the commencement of the NDP, including the evaluation of investment in key capital programmes such as the road network, and in public transport.
The key responsibility for the evaluation, planning and execution of capital projects rests with line Departments and the relevant implementing agencies. I will, however, keep the ESRI recommendation under review especially in the light of the ongoing work programme of the NDP/CSF evaluation unit.