Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
277. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection in respect of the October Exchequer returns, the reason the capital spending for her Department was €4m below profile for this period; her plans to ensure the full capital spending is implemented before the end of the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53836/12]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection has a capital budget of €10½ m. for the year 2012 to fund investment in its office accommodation and computer systems. The underspend of €3.872m on capital expenditure at the end of October was in relation to office accommodation and arose because the Department was not invoiced as early as it had originally anticipated for capital expenditure incurred on its behalf by the Office of Public Works. This was because delays were encountered in securing leases or agreements with landowners in relation to new buildings and also because the roll-out of Intreo Offices in 2012 requires work on existing Social Welfare Local Offices, a significant number were still in design stage or tender stage at the end of October.
Progress has since been made in both of these areas, with several projects completed and others advanced to the point where expenditure will be incurred early in the New Year. It is now expected that the Department will spend almost €9½ m on its capital projects by the end of this year and it has applied to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for sanction to carry over unspent capital of €1.05m into 2013 in respect of projects that are underway and approaching completion.
