Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1990 > Committee of Public Accounts > Final Report - Appropriation Accounts 1988

APPENDIX 12

A FORAS FORBARTHA/ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH UNIT

Expenditure and Income

The attached table shows the expenditure and income for An Foras Forbartha and the Environmental Research Unit (ERU) since the Government announced on 1st September 1987 that An Foras Forbartha was to be abolished. An Foras’ exchequer income in 1987, its last full year of operation, was £3.946 million. If an Foras had not been abolished, its 1990 grant would be in the region of £5 million. In fact net Exchequer expenditure in 1990 on An Foras and ERU (including pensions) will be about £3.25 million.

Staff

The position regarding staff of An Foras at 31st August 1990 was as follows:

Overall, there are 109 staff currently employed by An Foras and ERU compared to 212 staff employed by An Foras when the decision was taken to abolish it.

Premises

The ERU occupies the same premises used by An Foras Forbartha with the exception of 8,000 sq. ft. which, because of reduced staff levels, has been sublet to the Office of Public Works, who are responsible for the rent (£80,000 per annum).

Office equipment

The ERU has taken over all office equipment from An Foras relating to the functions which have been assigned to it. No penal payments have arisen on termination of leases, etc., arising from the decision to abolish An Foras.

AN FORAS FORBARTHA AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH UNIT