Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
76. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the revised National Development Plan will have a greater emphasis on persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20394/21]
View answerThe existing NDP identifies the strategic priorities for public capital investment for all sectors, ranging from major infrastructure projects in transport, to enterprise supports, to social housing developments throughout the country.
Within the Health sector the existing NDP includes the commitment to support the capital programme for people with disabilities, which consists of the purchase and adaptation of houses in the community along with the replacement of long-term residential care units.
The review of the National Development Plan is currently ongoing with the aim to publish the new NDP in summer 2021. The review of the NDP provides an opportunity to reassess investment plans, particularly in light of the new Programme for Government commitments and the ongoing impacts and recovery from Covid-19.
The Programme for Government includes a strong emphasis on supporting those with disabilities under “A New Social Contract”. It is the responsibility of each of the relevant Departments to ensure that those commitments are prioritised for investment as appropriate within their sectors, whether that be in health, housing or transport. The review of the NDP provides them with the opportunity to do so.
The review of the NDP has been structured in two phases with associated outputs. The published phase 1 report provides the evidence base for the review. This includes an overview of the submissions from Departments, including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The submission from that Department reflects various obligations both statutory (national and international) and societal, with which the Department and country must comply. In reviewing the NDP requirements of the Department, close attention has been paid to the strategies, objectives and demands on the Department.
Phase 2 of the NDP review is now underway and my Department is engaging in a strategic dialogue with Departments with the primary aim of agreeing the new five year rolling Departmental capital allocations and overall ten year capital ceilings out to 2030. It is then a matter for individual Ministers as to how those allocations are prioritised across investments. The aim is to then finalise and publish the new NDP this summer.
