My Department has committed to undertaking five reviews under the current round of Value for Money Review initiative for 2006 to 2008. These reviews and their current status are:
Support for Irish Emigrant Groups Abroad — published August, 2007
Support for the Tsunami Affected Countries — published November, 2007
Evaluation of Development Programme in Mozambique — published February, 2008
Support for HIV/AIDS — underway and due for publication by 31 December 2008
Review of the Passport Service — almost complete and will be published this year.
The Department's policy is that all completed Value for Money Reviews should include management responses to the recommendations before they are completed and published. The Department's independent Audit Committee takes a close interest in the Value for Money Review process, including following up on the implementation of recommendations.
Arrangements for the next round of reviews are being considered by the Value for Money and Policy Review Central Steering Committee, which is chaired by the Department of Finance.