Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
4 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the total expenditure by his Department since January 2004; the way in which this figure compares with that provided in the Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21445/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra5 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the way in which the expenditure by his Department since January 2004 compares with the figure provided in the Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26391/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra6 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the likely out-turn for his Department’s Estimate for 2004. [27855/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra7 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his Department’s Estimate for 2005. [27856/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra8 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his Department’s spending in 2004 and the way in which it compares with the Estimate allocated to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28842/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra9 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his Department’s Estimate for 2005. [28843/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 9, inclusive, together.
Expenditure by my Department up to the end of October was €21.5 million compared with a total Estimates provision of €37.5 million. While fluctuations in spending occur from month to month and some expenditures do not fall due until the end of the year, I am satisfied that overall spending by my Department for 2004 will remain within the agreed Revised Estimates for the year.
The Estimates for 2005 for my Department will be published in the Abridged Estimates Volume tomorrow. I look forward to addressing specific issues relating to the Estimates provisions when they are considered in the usual way by the Committee on Finance and the Public Service. I also look forward to responding to questions which Deputies may wish to table separately in relation to specific aspects of the work of my Department.
I do not want to know the details of the Estimates in advance of their being published but could I get a guarantee from the Taoiseach that in respect of the National Forum on Europe, he will ensure that sufficient resources will be made available to it to allow it do its job? The Taoiseach will recall that in 2001, we got things badly wrong when insufficient information was given to the electorate at large about the first Nice referendum. In terms of the decision to have a referendum on the new constitution of Europe, this will be a complex matter in the minds of many people and they are entitled to the fullest level of information available. In that sense, the National Forum on Europe has a critical role to play. Can the Taoiseach give the House an assurance that he has seen to it that sufficient resources are contained in the Estimates to be published tomorrow to allow the forum do its job thoroughly?
"Yes" is the answer to the question. Deputy Kenny has raised this matter. For this year we did that. At this stage, as we go into the last six weeks of the year, the National Forum for Europe is below profile. Obviously, next year's expenditure will be heavier and the Department of Foreign Affairs also has an allocation because it will publish a more detailed booklet. Already, it has had a good run on the current booklet and I understand it will do more of those. It has gone into the community and I welcome the good take-up on that by the public. That is helpful to community organisations and schools in particular. I am assured, both by the chairman, whom I met recently, and the Department that matters are in order but I agree with Deputy Kenny that we have to provide adequate resources to ensure people have the information and that it is explained properly to them.
Can the Taoiseach assure the House that the forum will be able to move around the country? An important element of its work is that it becomes involved in local radio stations in community locations throughout the country so that school children, young people and the public in general can have an opportunity to hear the debates on the proposed constitution from the forum's perspective.
Yes. When the chairman came to see me as part of the Estimates process and other matters he made the point that that is the intention of the forum. He also said, and I support this, that when the forum travels around the country it should also engage with other organisations — the IFA, the ICMSA, the chambers of commerce and political parties. The forum will pay the cost of holding the function but it will also involve other organisations to try to get a wider audience in their travels.
I agree the National Forum on Europe must be given the necessary resources to provide the comprehensive information required to allow people to make up their minds. Has the allocation for the operation of the forum been increased given that the 2004 Estimate increased by 25% compared to 2003? Can the Taoiseach provide an absolute or estimated figure for 2005? The allocation for consultancy services decreased by 33% between 2003 and 2004. Is there a reason or explanation for the greater need for consultancy services in 2003?
Is the Deputy referring to consultancy services for the National Forum on Europe or the Department's overall allocation for such services?
The allocation for the National Forum on Europe increased by 25% between 2003 and 2004.
The overall figure allocated to the National Forum on Europe was €1,151,000. At the end of October the profile figure was €847,000 and the forum had spent approximately €600,000, although some outstanding bills remain. It submitted a figure for public relations of, I believe, €49,500.
I hope I understood the Deputy's question on consultancy services correctly. Expenditure on such services in my Department as of October 2004 was approximately €62,200. This relates mainly to the implementation of the employee opinion survey for 2004. Expenditure on the Presidency includes €72,286.34 on consultancy services and €36,653.65 was spent on public relations. In addition, some programmes under the Vote also contain expenditure on consultancy. The Information Society Commission expended €907,000 on consultancy services and €45,563 on public relations. The National Forum on Europe expended €47,780 on public relations. Under the e-Cabinet initiative expenditure on consultancy was €8,546.82, while nothing was spent on PR.
What is the final cost of the EU Presidency?
The total estimated cost from all Departments and agencies in relation to the Presidency is estimated to be in the region of €60 million. This includes the costs of official meetings, travel abroad, hospitality in Ireland, security arrangements, cultural presentations in Ireland and Europe, information services and the Presidency website. I understand the final cost is close to the estimated cost.
Does the Taoiseach expect the full 2004 allocation of €50,000 for the National Forum on Peace and Reconciliation to be expended by the year's end? Will a further amount be included in the Estimates for 2005? Does the Taoiseach envisage that the forum will be reactivated in the future?
The National Forum on Europe was allocated €922,000 in 2004. Was this allocation drawn down in full? What are the Taoiseach's plans for the forum in 2005? Will it be reactivated, specifically with regard to the debate on the new EU constitution?
I note that a substantial sum of €1.67 million was allocated for 2004 for what are called the information society and e-Cabinet initiatives. Will the Taoiseach indicate the practical benefits to taxpayers of this expenditure?
With regard to the National Forum on Peace and Reconciliation, we have kept a provision for this purpose each year and will continue to do so because administrative costs always arise. The allocated figures have not been large but we will, if necessary, make further provision in the Department's Vote, even if we do not have a full Estimate.
The National Forum on Europe has an allocation of €1,151,000, of which approximately €600,000 has been spent. It appears the full figure for 2004 will not be expended. As I implied, however, additional costs will arise in 2005 because of the impending referendum in terms of information, sessions and ongoing work. There will, therefore, be a full year cost for this purpose.
With regard to the Information Society Commission, actual expenditure has not been as high as the figure in the Estimate. Approximately €348,000 had been expended by the end of October so it appears the final figure will be under profile. Most of the commission's beneficial work is in promoting the information society in the community and carrying out various surveys. It has launched a number of schemes, including the information society days in community centres and public libraries, and done research which is used widely in schools and elsewhere. All members of the board of the Information Society Commission work without payment — I believe they do not even get mileage costs. The costs incurred are, therefore, from research, surveys and the commission's work in the community.
