Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2021
7. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which projects that fall within the aegis of his Department and are within the revised National Development Plan are at an advanced stage at present or are in course thereof; the extent to which preliminary work has taken place or on-site works are in hand or proposed; and the expected delivery date of each. [49262/21]
View answerIn relation to my own Department, the Department of the Taoiseach does not have any capital budget or any capital projects under the revised National Development Plan (NDP) which was launched on 4 October 2021. My Department does, however, play a leadership role in the Shared Island Fund, a key Programme for Government commitment which is an element of the NDP.
The revised NDP sets out the capital investment plans over the decade ahead to deliver on our strategic priorities, including in education, health, and regional development and to address the most important challenges we face – particularly in relation to housing, sustainability and climate action.
It also sets an enhanced level of ambition for collaborative cross-border public investment, to build a more connected, prosperous and sustainable island, for all communities and traditions that share the island. This includes increased funding through the Shared Island Fund, being led by my Department and which combined with other public funding brings the total all-island investment commitment for the 2021-2030 period to more than €3.5 billion. The Shared Island Fund is allocated by Government to Departments on the basis of approved collaborative North/South projects. As is normal, the Secretary General of the Government Department to which funding is allocated will be the Accounting Officer.
This revised NDP is being delivered within Project Ireland 2040, the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of our country. Since its launch in February 2018, through the first phase of the NDP, significant progress has been made on implementation. Detail on progress can be found on the myProjectIreland interactive map available on Gov.ie [www.gov.ie/en/collection/f828b-myprojectireland-interactive-map/]
