Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
227. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the details of the social impact assessments carried out by his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37303/21]
View answerMy Department requires all major investments in transport infrastructure and services to be appraised across a range of criteria under the sector specific guidelines set out in the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes
(CAF - https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/800ea3-common-appraisal-framework/).
It is a requirement that the project appraisal set out and account for the expected social impacts of the proposed transport investment in respect of vulnerable groups.
In evaluating and prioritising investment, it is a requirement to consider the impact of the scheme under six main criteria. In relation to the social impacts of transport investments, one of these is ‘Accessibility and Social Inclusion’. This refers to a transport scheme’s ability to impact upon a community’s access to services and social amenities. These criteria form the high-level criteria for appraising the expected benefits and impact of the scheme. Sponsoring agencies preparing business cases for transport schemes are required to consider and assess if any accessibility and social impacts for the general public and in particular, vulnerable groups—either positive or negative—are likely to arise as a result of the investment. Such vulnerable groups include, for example, those experiencing social deprivation, geographic isolation, physical or intellectual impairment. It is required that, to the extent that is possible, the scale of the anticipated impacts is set out within the appraisal, along with the specific groups likely to be impacted and how many people in those groups are likely to be impacted.
In respect of the requirements outlined above, I also note that the Strategic Research and Analysis Division in my Department is currently undertaking a work programme to review, update and improve the Departments existing sectoral guidance (the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes 2016). This review and update will reflect the new requirements for evaluating, planning and measuring public investment as set out in the recently revised Public Spending Code published at the end of 2019. It also includes an examination of current approaches to measuring the impacts of projects or service changes to identify improvements that can be made. I expect that an updated Common Appraisal Framework will be published in the second half of 2021.
In relation to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), projects are delivered in compliance with the international, national, regional and local policy. Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan, for example, include 10 strategic objectives including:
- 3. To Strengthen Rural Economies and Communities,
- 5. A Strong Economy supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills,
- 10. Access to quality Childcare education and Health Services.
The public spending code sets out the rules and procedure to ensure that the best value for money is achieved in the delivery of projects using public funding. The code requires the setting of objectives for the project and how project should be assessed. Project options are assessed against how they comply with the project objectives as well as under the following criteria Economy, Safety, Environment, Accessibility and Social Inclusion as well as Integration and Physical Activity.
Assessment of the proposed project is also carried out as part of the planning approval process which is set out in law and under the associated regulations. In relation to roads, the range of deliverables, as set out in TII’s Project Management Guideline and all projects funded by TII, are assessed in line with these Guidelines.
I have also referred your question to the other agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply with 10 working days.
