Capital Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 January 2010

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Questions (120)

Joe McHugh

Question:

206 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the new capital projects associated with her Department gone to tender that will begin in 2010; the new capital projects gone to tender that were due to start in 2010 but are not now proceeding; the capital projects that are in the middle of construction at present; her views on the importance of such projects in getting capital flowing into banks and around the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3165/10]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My Department does not directly fund or tender for capital projects. Capital funding which is allocated to my Department is expended through various agencies under the remit of the Department, including IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, FÁS, Shannon Development, Inter TradeIreland, the National Standards Authority of Ireland and the 35 County and City Enterprise Boards.

Most of the funding is used by the agencies to provide a range of grants and supports to clients. However, some degree of tendering may take place in relation to specific projects, such as the maintenance of premises and the upgrading of equipment.

My Department does not hold details of tendering processes operated by the agencies. However, I will ask the agencies to respond directly to the Deputy with the information requested.