Ciarán Cuffe
Question:274 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance the changes that have been made in his Department's plans, programmes, policies and spending arising from the publication of the Government's national spatial strategy. [25447/03]
Written Answers. - National Spatial Strategy.
My Department does not directly fund projects or programmes of significance related to the implementation of the national spatial strategy. The achievement of balanced and sustainable regional development, which is the cornerstone of the strategy, is also a priority for my Department. The Department is represented on the interdepartmental committee on the implementation of the national spatial strategy under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Investment in infrastructure is an important element in the implementation of the strategy. My Department and I have accorded considerable priority to such investment notably through the national development plan. This investment is supporting the spatial strategy, in particular by enhancing the economic and social infrastructure in the strategy's gateway centres and by improving transport links between them. Finally, as indicated in the strategy, the Government will take full account of the strategy in moving forward the progressive decentralisation of Government offices and agencies.