asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of money spent on cost-benefit analysis in each year from 1965 to 1978.
10.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost Benefit Analysis.
9.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of personnel employed by his Department on cost-benefit analysis surveys each year from 1965 to 1978.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
As part of their normal work the staff of my Department examine proposals for extensions of existing services and for new services involving extra Government spending. In addition, my Department have expert staff who carry out in-depth analytic studies of selected issues. This process involves the use of a number of techniques, including cost-benefit analysis in so far as this is appropriate. Since, however, cost-benefit analysis is only one of the techniques used in policy appraisal in my Department, it is not usually possible to identify the staff numbers and costs directly associated with it.
The Office of Public Works have, however, undertaken a number of very specific cost-benefit analyses of arterial drainage projects in recent years. The staff numbers and costs associated with these can be identified and they are set out in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
|
Year |
Cost |
Numbers employed (Wholetime and Part-time) |
|
£ |
||
|
1970 |
300 |
1 |
|
1971 |
2,000 |
2 |
|
1972 |
15,000 |
7 |
|
1973 |
7,700 |
2 |
|
1974 |
34,300 |
10 |
|
1975 |
19,800 |
5 |
|
1976 |
8,000 |
3 |
|
1977 |
16,700 |
10 |
|
1978 |
18,000 |
8 |