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Capital Programme Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Questions (275)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

275. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection of the €4 million in capital funding recorded as not spent under the expenditure profile at end November in the most recent analysis of gross Voted expenditure Exchequer figures, the reason for the underspend; if she will provide a breakdown of the capital projects or outlays that have not commenced as yet, as per the profile; if any of the €107.2 million in total capital carryover in Government for 2012 relates to her Department; the amount of same; if it has been spent; on what it has been spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52957/13]

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Written answers

The capital allocation provided in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2013 was €10.5million of which €8.525 million was profiled to be spent up to the end of November, 2013. The financial data for the Department of Social Protection contained in the November Exchequer Returns indicated an underspend of €4 million (€3.577 million rounded to the nearest million) in capital expenditure in the year to date. This data was not final as it was compiled prior to the month end and was estimated based on the best information available at the time of preparation.

Final data in relation to the position at the end of November is now available. This shows that capital expenditure at end November was €2.143 million under profile. Capital expenditure in the Department relates to two main areas of expenditure, namely, buildings and computer hardware/e-Government. Capital expenditure on buildings provides for the costs of new buildings ('fit outs' of new leased buildings) and the refurbishment of other buildings necessary to meet the accommodation demands on the Department. Current capital projects arise principally from the continued rollout of the accommodation element of the Intreo programme in a very wide range of locations throughout the country as well as Public Service Card centres. These projects are being progressed in conjunction with OPW and includes acquiring new Local Office accommodation and in placing contracts for refurbishment of existing offices. At end November, capital expenditure on buildings was €0.827 million over profile and reflects the considerable progress which has been made.

Capital expenditure on computer hardware/e-Government was €2.97 million behind profile at the end of November. This was mainly due to lower than profiled expenditure in a number of demand led expenditure items including routers and switches, servers and scanner hardware. In addition a significant invoice (over €1 million) for the purchase of computer storage equipment was not received in time for payment in November. Finally, a sum of €1.05m in capital carry-over was allocated to the Department in 2013. This has been entirely expended on buildings, principally Intreo and public service card centres, and is not included in the earlier buildings financial data outlined above.

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