Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
385. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of construction inflation that has been experienced by her Department in each of the past six years and to date in 2017 in respect of construction projects and other capital projects; the way in which she monitors construction inflation and the mechanisms she employs to establish this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11530/17]
View answerMy Department's capital expenditure is largely concentrated on enterprise supports, refurbishment projects in National Cultural Institutions, National Parks and our Waterways network, grant schemes for arts and heritage, and supporting the economic and sustainable development of the regions.
Inflation measures are of more value in the management of multi-annual construction programmes but my Department seeks at all times to ensure value for money in the delivery of its individual capital supports. Where appropriate, my Department is sanctioning authority for certain projects as set out under the Public Spending Code and ensures value for money through a range of measures including ensuring compliance with public procurement procedures in partnership with the relevant contracting authorities and the Office of Public Procurement. Capital supports are provided in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Circular 13/2014 on the Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds, which provides guidance to Government Departments on ensuring that all Exchequer funds, regardless of the method of distribution, are accounted for and properly managed.
