Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
121. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in respect of the October Exchequer returns, the reason the capital spending for his Department was €2m below profile for this period; his plans to ensure that the full capital spending is implemented before the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53831/12]
View answerMy Department has a very modest capital budget for 2012 of €4.4m, which is used for administrative capital purposes, such as accommodation and ICT infrastructures. Expenditure at the end of October was behind profile due to the decision to defer a number of projects, mainly in the area of architectural services. It is likely that these savings will continue to year-end.
The focus for capital investment in 2013 and beyond will be on protecting previous investments in infrastructure such as embassy property, vehicles, ICT networks and the Passport Service. There is a need for significant investment in the Passport Service, including the need to renew some of large-scale passport production equipment which is approaching “end-of-life”. This investment forms part of a wider programme to enhance the Passport Service, and my Department is finalising a comprehensive proposal on the matter. As well as renewing the production equipment, the development of services such as Adult on-line renewal will require capital investment in at least 2013 and 2014. As the likely cost is greater than the allocation foreseen for those years, my Department will work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to finding a cost-effective method of providing the investment.
