Written question asked by Lord Hague of Richmond (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 December 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 December 2007. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 17 December 2007 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Afghanistan and Iraq: Reconstruction

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2007, Official Report, column 915W, on Iraq: reconstruction, (1) for what reasons the Government maintain that increased attention must be given to monitoring of the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq; and what shortcomings have been identified;

Answer: The United Nations conducts its own internal monitoring systems as standard practice. These tend to focus more on factual outputs, such as number of schools refurbished or text books distributed. Furthermore, each project is assessed based on its own merit. This 'Multi-donor Stocktaking Review' will assess the impact and sustainability of projects funded by IRFFI rather than focusing on the outputs; it will also assess IRFFI funded programmes relative to programmes funded by bilateral donors.The stocktaking review will be led by a review steering committee (RSC), which is made up of four parties—Canada, the Commission, Japan and the UK. They are appointing an international consultancy firm to conduct the review. This tendering process is close to completion and, when it is, the successful bidder will be announced by UNOPS, the administrating agent.The stocktaking review will take a comprehensive look at the impact of IRFFI's projects in Iraq as a whole. It aims to provide an independent, results-based assessment of the appropriateness, efficiency and effectiveness of IRFFI-supported programmes. The review will be important for both the accountability of the Iraqi authorities to the Iraqi people, as well as donor agencies to their taxpayers. The review is expected to be completed in the second half of 2008.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 469 c1014-5W; 172374
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Iraq: Reconstruction
Monday, 3 December 2007
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Iraq Afghanistan Reconstruction
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk