Vol. 551 No. 2
146 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has studied the report of a company (details supplied) on the workings of the Agency for Personal Services Overseas; and if he has taken steps to see that the breakdown in relations between sections of management and staff referred to in the report has been addressed in the intervening ten months. [9811/02]
147 Mr Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has asked the Board of APSO for a detailed report on the action it has taken to address the issues raised in the report of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9812/02]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
The Agency for Personal Service Overseas has been in existence for 28 years and has been the principal vehicle through which thousands of Irish people have provided valuable personal service to the developing world.
The report to which the Deputy refers forms part of a process of review and evaluation which has been ongoing in APSO for some time, as the agency endeavours to ensure that its operations remain relevant and effective in a changing development environment. It was commissioned by the board of APSO and is currently being considered by the latter. I am aware of its contents. It has also informed the deliberations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee, which has completed a comprehensive review of the Ireland Aid programme, including APSO. The report of the committee will be published very shortly and will make recommendations on all aspects of Ireland Aid's work. These include general comments on the work done by APSO and suggestions in relation to its future role and structure.
