EPA and their yo yo's

Tim Robbins

Hi,
I saw Eddie hobbs giving out the EPA spending money on handing out yo yos. More info here. In a nutshell, according to the Irish examiner the EPA are costing us 70 million a year. This is for a staff of 340. Is this good value for money or not?

I think some of the work they do is important and good. But still, in the times we live in it's time to lookout how much everything costs and the benefit it provides.

How much do other countries spend on their equivalents of the EPA?

Why do we need a department of the environment and an EPA?

Why is the EPA allowed to sponsor operas in wexford?

How do we decide how big or small the EPA should be?

Tim Robbins

Here is a response from the EPA to some the accusations.

Read the last paragraph...

EPA wrote:

In the context of a rapidly changing work environment with diminishing resources it is essential that the EPA invests in the development of its staff to enable them to manage and adapt to these changes and in particular to develop more effective team working skills in a multi-disciplinary structure. A key element in the development of teamwork is the EPA’s Staff Development Programme which incorporates Team Building exercises. The exercises are undertaken outside normal working hours and have included team challenges which have on occasion included activities such as orienteering meal preparation and treasure hunts. Such exercises provide practical learning and problem solving opportunities in a team context.

Pretty incredible. The country is bankrupt and they justify yoyo's, sponsoring operas and team building courses and some wacky stuff to developer their problem solving skills.

MadsL

On the two occasions that I have driven tender documents down to Jobstown and once the other side of Cork, I have always been struck by the irony that EPA used to refuse to issue tenders for which the electronic tender postbox could be used.

They have improved in recent years, of the tenders they issued in 2012 -one, yes, one of them was accepted in electronic form.

Dept of Environment is worse - they have used electronic tenders just four times since 2009. :eek:

AlekSmart

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Here is a response from the EPA to some the accusations.

Read the last paragraph...

Pretty incredible. The country is bankrupt and they justify yoyo's, sponsoring operas and team building courses and some wacky stuff to developer their problem solving skills.

What would interest me is the actual cost of the "Team Building Sessions" and/or what outfit was supplying the "Package" ?

I've experienced enough of these events to know the drill by now...I'd be surprised if there were'nt some plummy accented Public School types lurking in the background as they forged the Team Spirit ethic in those recalcitrant Paddies !!

MadsL

AlekSmart wrote: »

What would interest me is the actual cost of the "Team Building Sessions" and/or what outfit was supplying the "Package" ?

I've experienced enough of these events to know the drill by now...I'd be surprised if there were'nt some plummy accented Public School types lurking in the background as they forged the Team Spirit ethic in those recalcitrant Paddies !!

Are you, as I think you are, implying that they were (sharp intake of breath) British consultants??

If so, can I remind you of a a wee thing called the EU...

Godge

Can understand the yo-yos, pens and other trinkets being handed out at the National Ploughing Competition and the Young Scientists. If we could get farmers and children to be more environmental, that would be good.

But the Wexford Opera Festival, that takes some neck.

MadsL

Godge wrote: »

But the Wexford Opera Festival, that takes some neck.

It was held in their back garden at Jobstown Castle the year that they spent the money on it, that's why. Wexford had to find a home for it whilst the Opera House was built.

I was there that year, and twas very good

Sleepy

Did some work with them a few years back and the classic quango: a handful of decent staff surrounded by or managed by morons.

AlekSmart

MadsL wrote: »

Are you, as I think you are, implying that they were (sharp intake of breath) British consultants??

If so, can I remind you of a a wee thing called the EU...

Thats mad,MadsL...How did you know ?

I fully accept that Britain is a fully paid up and committed member of the European Community (For now).

The nationality of the "Motivators" whom I encountered is no more than an aside really.

Over the years,and having developed a certain immunity to the ethos of "Motivation/Team Building",I just tended to sit back and bask in the glow of these lads vast knowledge of life and how we "in the Republic" should be living it.

The nationality of these Motivators is not an issue at all,it;s the frightening thought that they might actually believe much of the spiel they expensively peddle that worries me...:)