Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2018
64. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of capital expenditure which will be allocated for infrastructure projects in County Donegal; the timeframe for these allocations; the projects for which funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43654/18]
View answerIn my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at a Departmental level. Decisions on how and where those allocations are invested by Departments are a matter, in the first instance, for my ministerial colleagues.
The ten-year National Development Plan (NDP) has been put in place to underpin the implementation of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and to support the development of all counties and regions, both urban and rural areas, including County Donegal.
Total funding of €8.8 billion is allocated to the Strategic Outcome of strengthened rural economies and communities which is a cornerstone of the NDP, including in relation to the delivery of the National Broadband Plan and significant investment in regional and local roads. The NDP also contains, as a priority, increased investment in public transport and ongoing investment in the Local Link Programme.
In the context of Brexit, the NDP represents a particular step change for the northern part of the island of Ireland, including Donegal and the North-West. For example, the NDP provides for investment to support the ambition for development of the region such as the N2/A5 road serving Meath, Monaghan and Donegal.
A major capital projects tracker is available on the website of my Department, which sets out details of the key projects being implemented under the Plan, including the location of the projects where possible. Some of the major projects directly related to Donegal include:
- The N56 Mountcharles to Inver Road (€39 million) due for completion in 2019
- N56 Dungloe to Glenties (€100 million) due for completion in 2019
- Investment in Donegal Airport as part of the Regional Airports Programme
- Letterkenny hospital rebuild including Radiology
Under the NPF, the three Regional Assemblies are now responsible for co-ordinating, promoting and supporting the strategic planning and sustainable development of their regions, consistent with the objectives of the NPF, through the preparation of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES). The strategy for the Northern and Western Region provides the opportunity for the priorities for Donegal, for example the priorities included in the existing County Development Plan, to be integrated into a regional investment plan which is expected to be a major driver of the implementation of the NPF.
