I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 to 537, inclusive, together.
Since my appointment as Minister in May of this year I have secured an additional €100 million in funding for my Department's Vote for use in 2016 and 2017. It means that the Department will expend over €1.1 billion in capital supports in 2016 and 2017 for enterprise development, including supporting the regional jobs commitment, as well as supporting a range of innovation activities.
As explained to the Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on 1 December 2016 the consequence of the Department’s Supplementary Estimate which was agreed in Dáil Éireann last Thursday, 8 December, sees the Department’s capital ceiling this year rising by €45 million to €548 million.
In 2017 the Department’s capital ceiling is rising from the €503 million capital base as published in the 2016 Revised Estimates Volume to €555 million next year.
This is the highest capital amount ever secured by the Department and is a €52 million (10%) increase on the 2016 Revised Estimates Volume allocation of €503 million.
The Deputy will also be aware that I secured an additional €3 million in Pay for 2017 for additional Brexit specific posts for the Department, Offices and Agencies.
The additional €100 million that I have secured in 2016 and 2017 is strong evidence of delivering on the Government’s regional jobs commitment.
Responsibility and the relating funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta falls to my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.