Tom Hayes
Question:107 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the projects which are listed under the national development plan; and the date of completion for each project. [16264/03]
Written Answers. - National Development Plan.
The current national development plan, NDP, provides for a total investment of approximately €30 billion in the development of economic and social infrastructure over the period 2000-2006. Of the total planned investment, approximately €17.5 billion is for measures coming within the remit of my Department, including local authority and social housing, water and waste water services, non-national roads, waste management, urban and village development, habitat protection and conservation, and heritage conservation.
The national development plan is essentially an indicative framework document which sets out investment priorities across a range of major programmes over the 2000-2006 period. It does not, in general, attempt to describe the individual projects to be undertaken over this period.
The economic and social infrastructure operational programme and the two regional operational programmes, copies of which are in the Oireachtas Library, give further details about the measures implemented by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Such details include the manner in which the measures support economic activity, foster balanced regional development and promote social inclusion. I refer also to the reply to Questions Nos. 318 and 319 of 1 April 2003 in which progress under these measures is outlined further.
In relation to completion dates, the achievement of targets under the national development plan depends on Ireland maintaining its strong competitive position and economic growth. The Government is committed to providing the investment in public infrastructure that underpins competitiveness, as envisaged in the national development plan, and we will continue to prioritise such investment over the remainder of the plan period.