involve recurring costs, particularly the schools qualified scheme. However, ‘difficult’ teachers’ this is designed to test two possible options, with different recurrent cost implications, so as to provide MoET with the necessary information on the most cost effective policy regarding attracting and/or retaining qualified teachers in schools. ‘difficult’ Critical risks and possible controversial aspects Table 4: Critical Risks and Mitigations Measures Risk Mitigation Measures Rating* To project development objective The main risk for the sector, and Leveraging resources and attracting more donors to contribute M thus for the project objective, is to the pooled fund to complement funding. a potential decrease in the budget due to the impact of the financial crisis. An added risk to the project development objective is the impact of the financial crisis in the economy of Ireland and thus, in the contribution of funds from Irish Aid (the co-financier) of the operation. To component results Government may be unable to The project design seeks to increase implementation capacity S implement civil works fully on for civil works by making use of external consultants to time. supervise construction, making use of district tender panels to spread the burden of procurement, simplifying the systems for management of works, and by greater use of standard designs. Training will be provided for all the key intervenient in school construction. A short and medium term capacity building program, which is being designed during project preparation, will be implemented. To project management The MoET may be unable to Since the closure of the ESDP II phase 2 in December 2008, M manage the project efficiently in the government has acted quickly to create permanent the absence of a Project positions in financial management, procurement and Implementation Unit (PIU). supervision of civil works. Technical assistance is being provided to MoET prior to project implementation to provide short term capacity development and to help MoET prepare and start implementation of a medium term capacity building program. A team of international consultants with sound knowledge in procurement, financial management and school construction will provide support to the team during first six months of the project. Support to the implementation of the capacity building program will be provided accordingly. Supervision will be strengthened with an increased number of joint technical missions. To fiduciary aspects Overall financial management Apart from the technical assistance support considered in the S and procurement risk due to above risk category, and which includes issues on financial for Financial general low capacity and management and procurement, other specific measures were Management
involve recurring costs, particularly the ‘difficult’ schools qualified teachers’ scheme. However, this is designed to test two possible options, with different recurrent cost implications, so as to provide MoET with the necessary information on the most cost effective policy regarding attracting and/or retaining qualified teachers in ‘difficult’ schools. Critical risks and possible controversial aspects Table 4: Critical Risks and Mitigations Measures Risk Mitigation Measures Rating* To project development objective The main risk for the sector, and thus for the project objective, is a potential decrease in the budget due to the impact of the financial crisis. An added risk to the project development objective is the impact of the financial crisis in the economy of Ireland and thus, in the contribution of funds from Irish Aid (the co-financier) of the operation. Leveraging resources and attracting more donors to contribute to the pooled fund to complement funding. M To component results Government may be unable to implement civil works fully on time. The project design seeks to increase implementation capacity for civil works by making use of external consultants to supervise construction, making use of district tender panels to spread the burden of procurement, simplifying the systems for management of works, and by greater use of standard designs. Training will be provided for all the key intervenient in school construction. A short and medium term capacity building program, which is being designed during project preparation, will be implemented. S To project management The MoET may be unable to manage the project efficiently in the absence of a Project Implementation Unit (PIU). Since the closure of the ESDP II phase 2 in December 2008, the government has acted quickly to create permanent positions in financial management, procurement and supervision of civil works. Technical assistance is being provided to MoET prior to project implementation to provide short term capacity development and to help MoET prepare and start implementation of a medium term capacity building program. A team of international consultants with sound knowledge in procurement, financial management and school construction will provide support to the team during first six months of the project. Support to the implementation of the capacity building program will be provided accordingly. Supervision will be strengthened with an increased number of joint technical missions. M To fiduciary aspects Overall financial management and procurement risk due to general low capacity and Apart from the technical assistance support considered in the above risk category, and which includes issues on financial management and procurement, other specific measures were S for Financial Management
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