1. Mid-Term Evaluation of CSF for Ireland
Presentation to TGE Seminar, Brussels, 8 October 2004
David Hegarty, NDP/CSF Evaluation Unit

2. Presentation Structure
Background
Organisation and Timetable
Assessment
What worked well?
Challenges

3. Background The NDP and CSF 6 OPs Previous MTE experience (1996/97)
NDP includes non EU-funded priorities and measures
MTE covered entire NDP
6 OPs
3 national, 2 regional, 1 cross-border (PEACE)
Previous MTE experience (1996/97)
Evaluation Unit role

4. Organisation Started preparation in early 2002
Planning Group established
Composition….
Functions
Agree timetable
Approved core TOR (June 2002)
Approve quality criteria
Composition of OP steering committees
Acted as CSF steering committee

5. Timetable: Key Milestones
Stage OP
CSF
Tender Invitation
Oct 2002
Dec 2002
Appointment of Evaluator
Jan 2003
April 2003
Draft Report
June 2003
Aug 2003
Final report
Oct 2003

6. What worked well? Process Evaluations Reports completed on time
Planning Group played useful coordination role
Evaluations
Met TOR
Raised some important issues
Horizontal issues, implementation problems
Significant CSF work on impact of HRD and infrastructure

7. Challenges Timing Programme size and complexity Terms of Reference
Limits primary research and methodological innovation
Aggregation problems
Terms of Reference
Too many issues?
Can’t pursue areas of concern
Horizontal priorities
Indicators and quantification