Due to the nature of its role, my Department has had no significant construction projects funded through its own Vote since its establishment in 2011. The main purpose of capital projects and associated investment undertaken by my Department is to support greater effectiveness and efficiency across the Civil and Public Service through investing in ICT.
In the wider Government context, my role, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, is to oversee the effective implementation of the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and to maintain the national frameworks such as the Public Spending Code within which Departments operate to ensure appropriate accounting for, and value for money in, public expenditure.
To support the efficient implementation of the National Development Plan and Departments as they work to secure value for money at project level, a suite of key reforms have been introduced including:
- Establishment of a Construction Sector Group to ensure regular and open dialogue between Government and the construction sector;
- A Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board of Secretaries General meets regularly to ensure effective leadership of the implementation process;
- The establishment of a National Investment Office (NIO) in my Department to coordinate reporting on the plan and to drive reforms included strengthened business case and project appraisal. As part of its function in driving reforms to strengthen business cases, the NIO provides a technical quality review of business cases for major projects. Since its establishment, the NIO has reviewed many project appraisals across a range of sectors including roads, rail, communications, energy, tourism and housing;
- The publication of a Capital Projects tracker to inform citizens about projects in their area and to give a greater overview to the construction sector;
- A communication strategy that includes national and local media initiatives, Annual and Regional Reports, an Annual Policy Conference, regular infrastructure professionals networking events, signage on all projects, presence at the National Ploughing Championships etc.; and
- A revised Public Spending Code to ensure best practice in terms of appraisal and evaluation.
My Department is also leading the ongoing review of the National Development Plan which is due for completion later this year. It should be noted that my Department, in carrying out its role in coordinating the review, does not consider the merit of individual projects or sectoral policy strategies as this is primarily a matter for individual Departments and Agencies.
