Vol. 542 No. 6
172 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which objectives outlined in the national plan have been achieved to date; if the plan is on schedule for completion within the time scale envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25672/01]
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 has as the following main objectives: continuing sustainable national economic and employment growth; consolidating and improving Ireland's international competitiveness; fostering balanced regional development; promoting social inclusion.
The NDP is a seven year plan which is being delivered through three national programmes – economic and social infrastructure, employment and human resource development and productive sector investment – two regional programmes and the peace programme. In addition, there is the Common Agricultural Policy rural development programme which is being co-funded by FEOGA guarantee funds.
With less than two years of a seven year plan completed it is too early to measure the specific contribution of the plan to the above objectives. However there has been very good progress in the areas of investment which are central to the achievement of these objectives. In particular investment in infrastructure under the economic and social infrastructure programme is well on target; this programme contributes to all of the above objectives through major improvements in our transport and environmental infrastructure, public housing investment and health services capital.
The employment and human resources programme is also generally on target; this programme is contributing to the development of our human resources which are essential to sustainable development and improved competitiveness. The human resource development programme is also targeting the long-term unemployed and those at risk of becoming long-term unemployed and is thereby promoting social inclusion.
Progress under the productive sector programme has been slow reflecting a general slowdown in the international investment climate with a consequential adverse effect on private sector investment. The two regional programmes are making good progress despite the problems which foot and mouth disease created for the delivery of the agriculture measures in the programmes. The measures in these programmes for local infrastructure, local enterprise and social inclusion complement those in the national programmes and are contributing to all of the objectives of the NDP and particularly those of balanced regional development and promotion of social inclusion.
