Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
87. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an overview of NSO 10 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55879/21]
View answerAt the outset it should be noted that my Department, in carrying out its role in coordinating the NDP Review, does not consider the merit of individual projects or sectoral policy strategies as this is primarily a matter for individual Departments and Agencies.
However I am glad to give the Deputy an overview of the NSO 10: Access to Quality Childcare, Education and Health Services. Whilst this NDP provides public investment in education and health infrastructure, the estimated population growth of one million and Ireland’s changing demographic profile will present a significant challenge, especially in the area of health.
Some relevant sectoral strategies in this area are the First 5 strategy in childcare, the schools Large Scale Projects Programme and Additional Accommodation Programme, as well as the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. These strategies play a critical role in identifying the goals and priorities for this NSO and are therefore critical in informing the investment projects set out in the NDP and meeting demographic demands.
Under the new NDP this Government will deliver an average of 150 to 200 school building projects every single year over the period 2021 to 2025 to provide necessary additional capacity and support the modernisation of existing school facilities including as much as possible future proofing from a climate action perspective.
Investment priorities in Health include the implementation of critical infrastructure around eHealth and ICT, the Primary Care Centre construction programme, the Disability capital programme focusing on a move towards de-congregated settings, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service expansion programme and the advancement of a range of priority projects set out in further health strategies. The second Paediatric Outpatient Department and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght Hospital is expected to open in mid-November 2021. The NCH at St. James’s is expected to complete construction at the end of 2023.
Large scale grants will be used to piloting initiatives such as Family and Early Childhood Centres, outdoor Early Learning and Childcare provision, and meal provision in Early Learning and Childcare services.
These are just some of the many investments which will be delivered under this NSO in the coming years to support Project Ireland 2040. Further details on projects, by NSO, can be found on the investment tracker on gov.ie/2040.
