added the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give a breakdown of the £58,000 paid by the Department in respect of the organisation and running of the National Productivity Year, November 1968 to November 1969.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Productivity Year.
127.
Since I gave the figure of £58,000 in reply to a question by the Deputy on 8th July last further sums have been paid by my Department in respect of the National Productivity Year and total issues to date to the INPC have amounted to £64,000. Of this sum, they have spent £63,600 and, in addition, the sum of £14,500 received in fees for exhibitions, seminars, and conferences. The breakdown of this total expenditure of £78,100 is as follows:— Advertising and Publicity £18,500; Project Teams' expenses £15,500; Seminars and Conferences £6,600; Exhibitions £11,000; Productivity Groups £10,500; Office expenses, including Salaries, £16,000.
Is the Minister satisfied that he has received value for money spent in respect of that particular exercise? I asked the Minister if the MOVE programme has particularly moved him or the nation in the context of expenditure of £64,000 of the taxpayers' money?
Is the Minister aware of the concern that exists both in industry and in the trade unions as to whether value is being secured?
In certain fields value has been secured but as to whether the overall operation has been worthwhile from the point of view of expenditure I cannot yet say. It is premature to make an assessment of it as the year has not been completed yet. However, lest there be any misunderstanding, I wish to make it clear that I am aware of certain areas in which it has been most valuable.