Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2010
225 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of reports and task forces set up and commissioned in his Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009; the reason for each report; the number of reports completed; and the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2628/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). The following tables set out, for both Votes, the details of reports commissioned by the Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and the costs in each case.
There were 4 reports on the EU which I requested the department to undertake prior to and post the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. I also requested a review on Irish Prisoners Abroad. All the other reports and those listed in Vote 29 were requested from various divisions in my department through Irish Aid.
Irish Aid (Ireland's official development assistance programme) occasionally commissions outside expertise where the specialised knowledge and/or skills are not available within the Department and where the effective management and evaluation of the programme necessitates the presence of such skills. During the course of their engagements these consultants/experts may prepare reports and other documentation. However, as they would not have been commissioned specifically to furnish a report, these details have not been included in the table.
One Task Force was established under the auspices of my Department in the period in question. The Hunger Task Force was established in 2007 following a recommendation of the September 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid. The aim of the Hunger Task Force was to identify the additional, appropriate and effective contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to reduce hunger. The first meeting of the Hunger Task Force took place in Dublin on 14th September 2007. The Task Force reported in September 2008, and outlined a number of key actions which Ireland can take to give practical leadership internationally on the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of those who suffer from hunger by 2015. The total cost of the Task Force was €301,991.
|
Vote 28: Experts/Consultants commissioned to produce reports in 2007 |
Matter Reported On |
Costs |
|
€ |
||
|
Sysnet Limited |
ICT Security Review |
28,133 |
|
Goodbody Economic Consultants |
Value for Money and Policy Review of the Support for Irish Emigrant Groups Programmes |
25,894 |
|
Annesley Resource Partnership |
Quality Assurance Assessment of the Value for Money and Policy Review of the Support for Irish Emigrants Groups Programmes |
3,751 |
|
BCT Communications Limited |
Evaluation of the capacity building programmes provided by the Institute of Public Administration in 2006 to the Bulgarian Institute of Public Administration and the Romanian National Institute of Administration. |
20,469 |
|
Mr. Richard Townsend |
Assist with a review of the mandate and structures of the Ireland-United Nations Association (IUNA) |
3,993 |
|
Mr. Chris Flood |
Report on Irish Prisoners Abroad |
6,066 |
|
Vote 28: Experts/Consultants commissioned to produce reports in 2008 |
Matter Reported On |
Costs |
|
€ |
||
|
Millward Brown |
Research Project to establish reasons underlying the result of the Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. |
138,061 |
|
Communications Clinic |
The preparation of a detailed Communication Action Plan to be used to direct spending under the Department’s Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI) in 2009. |
48,000 |
|
Richard Sinnott, Johan A Elkink, Kevin O’Rourke and James McBride |
Report on Attitudes and Behaviour in the Referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon |
11,800 |
|
Mr Jim O’Leary |
Assessment of Value for Money Review of the Passport Service. |
7,260 |
|
Vote 28: Experts/Consultants commissioned to produce reports in 2009 |
Matter Reported On |
Costs |
|
€ |
||
|
Millward Brown |
Fieldwork for survey to investigate opinions and attitudes to the European Union |
30,253 |
|
Vote 29: Experts/Consultants commissioned by Irish Aid to produce reports in 2007 |
Matter Reported On |
Cost |
|
€ |
||
|
Annesley Resource Partnership |
Quality Review of Irish Aid Report re. Tsunami |
2,723 |
|
Annesley Resource Partnership |
Review of the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme |
34,388 |
|
Aodh O’Connor |
Technical Consultants to the Civil Society Section Funding Schemes |
9,800 |
|
Dalberg Global Development Ad. |
Evaluation of Learning and Training Programme for Development Workers (Dtalk) |
26,245 |
|
Dalberg Global Development Ad. |
Mapping of Irish Aid Approval Processes |
55,358 |
|
Debbie Thomas |
Production of publication material for communication about Irish Aid’s health programming |
10,000 |
|
Ecorys Research and Consulting |
Evaluation of the Mozambique Country Programmes 2001-2006 |
93,191 |
|
Farrell Grant Sparks |
Provision of Consultancy Services for Irish Aid Management Review |
92,767 |
|
Institute of Public Administration |
Quality Assessment of Mozambique CSP Evaluation |
2,904 |
|
Intrac |
Public Expenditure Review of the Irish Governments Support to Tsunami affected countries |
31,181 |
|
Intrac |
Review of the Irish Missionary Resource Service (IMRS) |
66,105 |
|
Jane Salvage |
Support to the AMAR Health Rehabilitation Project for the Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq |
12,135 |
|
John Grindle |
External Evaluator for Development Cooperation Ireland Project Proposals for the Balkans and CISs |
8,500 |
|
John Grindle |
Support to Review of the Staffing Needs of the Diplomatic Missions in Programme Countries, Sierra Leone and South Africa |
15,426 |
|
KPMG |
Value for Money Review of the Passport Service |
35,406 |
|
Maeve Martin |
Evaluation of the Development and Intercultural Education (DICE) Project |
15,000 |
|
Mary Jennings |
Mainstreaming Building Strategy and Practice within Irish Aid |
3,020 |
|
Oxford Policy Management |
Strategic review of Irish Aid engagement with the United Nations funds and programmes |
61,316 |
|
Reginald Terrence Allsop |
Support to the Zambia/Ireland Teacher Education Initiative |
21,960 |
|
Richard Townsend |
Report on staffing needs of missions in Irish Aid Programme Countries |
8,556 |
|
Karen Rothwell |
Piloting of Organisational Assessment Guidelines |
24,421 |
|
Siobhan Mullally |
Independent/External Mid-term Evaluation of the Justice System Programme in Timor Leste |
5,197 |
|
Steve Packer |
Evaluation of the Irish Aid World Bank Education Trust Fund |
23,001 |
|
Theta Eta Advisors Limited |
Preparation of a report entitled: Best Practice in the Governance of Aid Programmes |
6,050 |
|
Oxford Policy Management |
Research study entitled: “Measuring Impact: The Global and Irish Aid Programme Context” |
42,258 |
|
Mr Tony Killick |
(i) Preparation of a report entitled: “Selectivity in Action: Choosing Irish Aid’s Tenth Programme Country” |
25,410 |
|
(ii) Editorial Work on Research Findings Volume 1 Governance Trade and Aid Effectiveness. |
||
|
Overseas Development Institute |
Research study entitled: “Good Governance, Aid Modalities & Poverty reduction” |
141,284 |
|
Vote 29: Experts/Consultants commissioned by Irish Aid to produce reports in 2008 |
Matter Reported On |
Cost |
|
€ |
||
|
Copenhagen Development Consulting A/S. |
Evaluation of Irish Aid Support to Primary Education in the Rwenzori Region, Uganda |
96,665 |
|
Desam International Consultants — Uganda |
Evaluation of Irish Aid Civil Society Programme — Uganda |
19,500 |
|
Debebe — Ethiopia |
Civil Society Fund Audit |
3,000 |
|
Pricewaterhouse Coopers Ltd |
Develop Irish Aid Tanzania Private Sector Support Strategy |
36,414 |
|
National Forestry Authority Uganda |
Environmental impact assessment of the construction improvement component of the post primary education and training programme (PPET) in Karamoja. |
21,666 |
|
J Fitzpatrick Assoc |
External Review of Irish Aid Support to Kimmage Development Studies Centre |
66,550 |
|
Paud Murphy |
Evaluation of Global e-Schools & Communities Initiative (GeSCI ) |
33,200 |
|
FSG Social Impact Advisors |
Evaluation of International Partnership for Microbicides |
139,000 |
|
Helen O’Neill |
Assessment of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) as potential partner for Irish Aid |
4,000 |
|
Dr. Larry Adupa — Uganda |
Documenting the process of establishing the civil society fund for HIV/AIDS response in Uganda |
11,257 |
|
Prof Amon Z Mattee — Tanzania |
Assessment of the performance of extension services delivery under ASDP in Tanzania |
19,235 |
|
ITAD Ltd |
Evaluation of Ireland’s Timor Leste Country Strategy 2004-2008 |
130,000 |
|
The IDL Group — Mozambique |
Analysis of Opportunities to Support Rural Livelihood Security and Pro-poor Growth through the Public Sector |
38,743 |
|
Alicia da Silva Calane — Mozambique |
Analytic Study on process and indicators to address gender related obstacles to achieving PROAGRI goals |
10,000 |
|
Dr Barry Ryan |
Review of the role of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in the Partnership Programme for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (PPECA) |
15,000 |
|
Economics for the Environment Consultancy Ltd (eftec) |
Review of Irish Aid’s Strategic Partnership’s Environment Programme 2006-2008: |
30,000 |
|
Development Research Training (DRT) — Uganda |
The Status of Chronic Poverty and Vulnerability in Karamoja |
2,857 |
|
J Fitzpatrick Associates |
Evaluation of Traidlinks |
30,250 |
|
FRR/ IDL Group |
Review of Irish Aid Programme in Zimbabwe |
18,351 |
|
Dr. Joseph Oonyu — Uganda |
Mid Term Review of Irish Aid Support to Human Resources Development for Increased Access to Primary Health Care. |
6,554 |
|
Ishmaels K. B. Kabanukye and others |
Mapping exercise of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Programme in Uganda |
20,000 |
|
Mary Jennings |
Copper Belt Government Programme Evaluation |
15,770 |
|
Albert Malama |
Copper Belt Government Programme Evaluation |
7,343 |
|
Dr. Henk J.W Mustsaers |
Review Operational Research for Food Security and Capacity Building and Evaluate Joint Mekelle and Cork Universities MSc Degree in Rural Development |
30,600 |
|
John O’ Regan |
Financial Assessment Component of an organisational Assessment on partner NGOs for Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS), Civil Society Fund, Block Grants & other Civil Society Funding Schemes |
22,400 |
|
Declan O Neill |
Foreign Currency Transaction Review for Embassy in Tanzania |
15,000 |
|
Elim Serviços Lda- |
Evaluation of Irish support to Technoserve |
19,369 |
|
Health Tech Consulting — Mozambique |
Evaluation of the Provincial Investment Plan 2004-2008 (PIPS) in Niassa Province (Mozambique) |
25,000 |
|
John O’ Regan |
Audit of Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) Partnership grants awarded to Self Help Development International |
22,500 |
|
ITAD Ltd |
Evaluation of the Uganda Country Strategy Paper 2007 -2009 |
88,760 |
|
Catherine Butcher |
Review of HIVAIDS programme in Northern Province (Zambia) |
18,600 |
|
AGEMA — Mozambique |
Vulnerability & Agriculture Extension Study |
42,000 |
|
Jane Salvage |
Feedback on evaluation of Irish Aids support to Health Rehabilitation Project for Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq |
1,650 |
|
Integra Economic Development Consultants Ltd |
Report to Inter-Departmental Committee on Development (IDCD) on development of skill sets |
18,300 |
|
Petrus Consulting Ltd |
Quality review of draft HIV and AIDS Value for Money Report |
3.400 |
|
Prof. Ronan Conroy |
Independent assessment of issues arising from review of a local HIV and AIDS Programme in Tanzania. |
5,000 |
|
Vote 29: Experts/Consultants commissioned by Irish Aid to produce reports in 2009 |
Matter Reported On |
Cost |
|
€ |
||
|
Mike Kiernan |
Joint Appraisal for the development of a Joint Modality within a Sector Wide Approach to support the Palestinian Education System |
10,410 |
|
Dr. Kamal Kar |
Review of draft Irish Aid Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy |
2,391 |
|
The Circa Group, Europe |
Development of a Performance Measurement Framework for the Programme of Strategic Cooperation between Irish Aid and Higher Education and Research Institutes 2007-2011 |
24,561 |
|
COWI Zambia Ltd |
Assessment of the Zambian Ministry of Education School Infrastructure Implementation Plan 2008. |
23,760 |
|
Peter McEvoy |
Evaluation of Irish Aid Supported Activities of Dochas, 2006-2008 |
15,058 |
|
Howard Dalzell |
Review of Irish Aid Support for unexploded Ordinance Programmes in Lao PDR & De-Mining in Cambodia |
18,172 |
|
Karen O’Shea |
An Evaluation of the Development Intercultural Education (DICE ) Lectures Project (Part 2 of 2007-09 Model) January 2009 |
3,819 |
|
Mary McKeown, |
Redesign of Irish Aid Regional Support in Ethiopia. |
9,254 |
|
Mary McKeown Varney A Yenbeth Dr Yvonne Harding |
Evaluation of Sierra Leone & Liberia Country Programmes |
35,557 |
|
Rural Net Associates |
Evaluation of support to Zambian Ministry of Education programme. |
14,150 |
|
Channel Research |
Review of Rapid Response Initiative |
10,647 |
|
Johnny O’Regan |
Audit of DFA Travel and Subsistence Budget |
12,386 |
|
KPMG — Kenya |
Report on Uganda Aida Commission |
48,500 |
|
Eleanor O’Gorman |
Provision of Conflict Analysis for Timor Leste |
23,449 |
|
Marcel Grogan |
Audit of MAPS Partner (Trocaire) |
11,423 |
|
Matthias Fiedler |
Development Assistance Committee Research Mapping |
25,000 |
|
Mokoro Ltd |
Preparation Good Practice Note Empowerment Local Development |
21,900 |
In addition, the Advisory Board for Irish Aid (ABIA) also commissioned research programmes as part of its remit to undertake policy relevant international research. In 2006/2007 two major research projects were commissioned, the first a three year project on Good Governance, Aid Modalities and Poverty Reduction conducted by ODI London at a cost of €486,038 and the second, a one year research programme by Oxford Policy Management at a total cost of €153,505. In 2008, a three year framework agreement was signed with the Institute for International Integration Studies (I IIS) at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) to undertake three research projects around Policy Coherence for Development. The total cost of the three projects is €301,889 and the Framework contract runs to 2010. No further research projects were commissioned in 2009 or later.
