Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
133. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a value for money review is conducted on the cost of banking and legal advice services to ensure that public funds are spent on what is actually needed for the best price. [10566/14]
View answerValue for Money Reviews are key analytical tool to be utilised within each Department for the purpose of assessing programme expenditure. Responsibility for identifying specific topics to be subject to these reviews is a matter for individual Departments. In particular, Departments are required to take into account the extent to which there is a prima facie case for selecting different areas of programme expenditure for analysis. Similarly, Departments are responsible for carrying out the reviews, publishing them and submitting them to the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The role of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to Value for Money Reviews is to provide overall guidance, technical assistance and quality assurance to Departments. In addition, the Department has a role in periodically co-ordinating the development of a Government wide programme of reviews.
Questions regarding the specific topics of banking and legal advice services should be directed to the relevant Departments and Offices which have direct responsibility for these areas of expenditure.
