9. Monitoring and Evaluation

9.1. The Monitoring Committee

In pursuance of article 35 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/99, laying down the general provisions on EU Structural Funds, a Monitoring Committee shall be set up not later than three months, following the decision of the EC on the contribution of the funds Monitoring Committee shall monitor the implementation of the assistance program. The Committee:

·        shall satisfy itself as to the effectiveness and quality of the implementation of the program;

·        shall confirm or adjust the program, including the physical and financial indicators and proposes them to the European Commission for approval;

·        shall consider and approve the criteria for selecting the operations financed under each measure within six months of approval of the assistance

·        shall periodically review progress made towards achieving the specific objectives of the assistance

·        shall examine the results of implementation, particularly achievement of the targets set for the different measures

·        shall consider and approve the annual and final implementation reports before they are sent to the European Commission;

·        shall consider and approve any proposal to amend the contents of the Commission Decision on the contribution of the Funds;

The Monitoring Committee shall include representatives of other ministries, a representative of the EC in his/her capacity of an advisor to the Committee, local authorities, NGOs and socio-economic partners in the relevant sector and rural areas.

9.2. Evaluation

Evaluation of the Programme will be carried out using the appropriate methodology and will consist of an intermediate evaluation before the end of the Programme period followed by a full evaluation some time later.

The evaluation will have regard to the issues and data comprising socio-economic analysis and specifically will address the following aspects:

·        the original validity and continuing relevance of the plan rationale

·        the degree to which objectives have been achieved relative to the timing of the evaluation and the expected final achievement

·        management and administrative issues

·        an estimate of economic, social and environmental benefits in net terms where possible and their sustainability

·        the public expenditure/resource costs involved

·        overall conclusions and recommendations concerning costs in relation to net benefits, qualitative as well as quantitative. Also any actions needed to improve value for money or management and whether or not there is a continuing need for further intervention.

During the life of the programme an assessment will be made of the direct and indirect benefits and economic impact, the gross and net costs per job assisted, evidence of dead-weight, substitutability and displacement and changes in added value resulting from the assistance.