Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
272. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a review of employment practices in relation to contracted employees within his Department is currently being undertaken; if so, if this will affect the long-term status of the long study, multi-million euro Tellus Programme within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20021/22]
View answerMy Department is currently reviewing and updating procurement and contract management practices for contracted service providers (external contractors) used by the Department, including the Geological Survey Ireland, to ensure full compliance with relevant legislative requirements and guidelines. This review is related to the use of external contractors and not to employment practices within the Department. Maintaining the system of internal financial controls is a continuous process, is kept under ongoing review and enhanced internal procedures have been introduced in recent months. The Tellus Programme is a national survey which gathers geophysical and geochemical data across Ireland via airborne geophysical surveying using a low-flying aircraft and ground-based geochemical surveying of soil, stream water and stream sediment. This Programme is managed by the Geological Survey Ireland, a Division of my Department, and is delivered through a combination of Department officials and external contractors. The Geological Survey Ireland has decided to suspend Tellus operations for 2022. This is to allow Geological Survey Ireland to overcome operational challenges including in relation to aircraft availability and to ensure a strategic approach is taken to programme delivery for future years.
