Written Answers Nos. 88-111
89. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the progress made with respect to the development and restoration of a house and gardens (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11406/22]
View answerFirstly, I’d like to thank Deputy Stanton for his question in relation to Annes Grove House and Gardens, in Castletownroche, Co. Cork.
The gardens at Annes Grove are of international significance, primarily because of their famous plant collection which contains an outstanding range of rhododendron species. The Grove Annesley family nurtured and developed a unique landscape over multiple generations until they generously donated the Estate to the Irish people in 2015. The majority of the gardens today dates from the early 20th century which was developed under the stewardship of Richard Grove Annesley. He was an avid plant collector and supported several plant hunting expeditions during the first half of the 20th century, notably the expeditions of Frank Kingdon-Ward. The great history of plant collecting in Ireland across the centuries is to some extent, not widely understood or appreciated and so the renovation of Annes Grove House and Gardens offers a unique opportunity to explore this aspect of our great historic gardens which are part of our national heritage.
Annes Grove is also an exemplar Robinsonian-style garden in Ireland, situated adjacent to the river Awbeg. The Robinsonian method was developed by William Robinson, from Co. Waterford, who championed a naturalistic approach to garden design and promoted the concept of the ‘wild garden’.
Since 2015, The Office of Public Works (OPW) has managed and conserved the Estate on behalf of the people of Ireland. The Estate consists of 190 acres, encompassing the Demesne, gardens, parkland, 18th century house and outbuildings. This first phase of capital works is coming to a close in quarter one of 2022, with a total investment of €2,162,935.19 to date, by the OPW.
Phase 1 identified areas for immediate attention, such as, commencing the restoration of the gardens, and of outbuildings in very poor repair and in danger of subsequent collapse. Throughout 2016 – 2019, good progress was made on repairing/rebuilding estate walls, roads, paths and car parking facilities. Windows and plasterwork were restored to the front of the house and new roofs installed on some of the 18th century farm yard buildings. Many overgrown areas were cut back and replanting works commenced.
I understand from my officials that, in 2019, the OPW commissioned a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) of Annes Grove House & Gardens to describe the history and significance of the site, identify issues and threats and to outline conservation and design strategies. This document will inform future decisions regarding the management of the Estate. From 2020 – 2021, the OPW completed emergency repair works to the roof of the stable buildings in the north courtyard to prevent them from collapse and provided urgent repairs to paths, steps and ancillary works to the gardens to facilitate a 2022 opening to the public.
The OPW is currently scoping and planning a second phase of capital works for Annes Grove. In 2019, the OPW was successful in seeking funding under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund and was awarded €375,000 in grant funding to appoint an Integrated Design Team, led by Howley Hayes Cooney Architects to bring this Phase 2 scheme to planning application stage in 2022. This planning application will seek permission for the refurbishment and development of visitor facilities on site, such as, ticket office, café, exhibition spaces, and conservation of the main House for interpretation of the history of Annes Grove and its unique plant collection.
It is envisaged that Annes Grove Gardens will become a strong destination for visitors, particularly international visitors with an interest in gardens. With its close proximity to Doneraile Court and Estate which is just ten kilometres away, the OPW plans to market both heritage attractions as a package of designed landscapes and gardens in north Cork, managed and operated by the OPW.
The OPW is committed to working with local stakeholders to ensure the re-opening of Annes Grove provides a sustainable, economic and social benefit to the local community, and that it will support tourism in the local area. My officials are working closely with the Grove Annesley family who have preserved and cared for the Estate throughout the generations, Ballyhoura Development, Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, Cork County Council and members of the public and local community interest groups to ensure the future success of Annes Grove as a new visitor destination in North Cork.
The scale of ambition for Annes Grove is substantial and is subject to available funding and resources. As a result, the OPW plans to open the site on a phased basis, beginning in 2022 with an initial offering where visitors access the extensive garden and riverside walks and enjoy a catering offering on site. The gardens will be accessible by paid guided tour only which will concentrate on the gardens and the internationally significant plant collection. Visitors will also have opportunities to explore some areas of the restored courtyards.
I look forward to joining the Deputy and other local stakeholders in mid-late April of this year as we celebrate the opening of Annes Grove gardens to the public.
90. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken to alleviate constrictions to the flow of water in the Shannon Callows between Athlone and Meelick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11044/22]
View answer100. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date on the €7 million investment in the removal of the pinch points on the River Shannon which will address the scale of summer flooding in the Shannon Callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11045/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 100 together.
The Government has noted the study by the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group that supports a programme of strategic maintenance to help mitigate flooding along the River Shannon and a further study on the removal of a series of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows that can help to delay flooding in the area. The Government has agreed that the OPW will provide €7m for all of these works, of which €4m relates to the removal of ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows.
Work is advancing to progress the project for the removal of ‘pinch points’ in the Shannon Callows. A Steering Group has been established to oversee this project and a scope of work has been drafted for the appointment of a consultant to identify and manage all of the activities that are necessary to progress through the planning process to enable the commencement of these works. This includes the identification and completion of all environmental assessments. The OPW and Waterways Ireland met on 15 February, 2022 to progress the tender documentation and it is anticipated that the tendering process for this service will commence in the coming weeks. Waterways Ireland, on behalf of the Shannon Group, will act as the Contracting Authority for this project.
The works can only commence following the completion of the appropriate environmental assessments and after receipt of planning permission. This is a time intensive process and there are a range of variables outside the control of the Shannon Group that may impact on the overall timescale for delivery of the project.
I would like to assure the Deputy that my officials and I have been working with Waterways Ireland to progress this project as soon as possible and I last met with Waterways Ireland on 1st December, 2021 in this regard.
91. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 62 of 23 September 2021, 108 of 16 November 2021 and 210 of 20 January 2022, the expected timeline for stage 2 of Coirib go Cósta, namely the submission of planning documentation to An Bord Pleanála and the completion of all environmental assessments and consents; the status of the Coirib go Cósta flood relief works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11403/22]
View answerGalway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme, with technical advice and funding being provided by the Office of Public Works.
On the 30th November last year, I visited Galway City and met with representatives from Galway City Council and the OPW, who are working on the progression of the scheme, to discuss the issues and potential solutions for these vulnerable areas of the city.
The objective of the Coirib go Cósta Project is to assess, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme, which has a preliminary total project budget estimate of €9.5m and when complete will protect over 940 properties in the Long Walk, Spanish Arch, Eglinton Canal, Merchants Quay, Raven Terrace, Salthill and Claddagh areas of Galway City from tidal and river flooding.
The scheme is currently in Stage 1 and the preliminary draft options for the scheme are programmed to be presented to the general public towards the end of this year.
Currently, it is programmed that Stage 2 will begin towards the end of 2023 with the scheme expected to be submitted for planning approval to An Bord Pleanála in Quarter 3 of 2024, following the completion of all environmental assessments.
This scheme represents a significant investment for Galway City, which will be undertaken with all due consideration for regulatory, planning, environmental and social constraints, while achieving the goal of delivering a viable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Galway City.
94. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding switching to green procurement in the Office of Government Procurement and the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11399/22]
View answerIn 2019, my Department published Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement. This instructs Departments to consider using green criteria in their procurements, and to include green considerations in the planning and reporting cycles. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) fully embraces switching to green procurement. A key objective in the OGP's Statement of Strategy is enabling better and more transparent public procurement that is socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable through guidance, advisory services, and training. This includes embedding strategic public procurement, which includes green and social considerations, in procurement policy and in the OGP’s next generation procurement solutions.
The Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, chaired by the OGP, promotes the incorporation of strategic considerations into public procurement projects. In 2021, the OGP and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications established and co-chair an Environmental subgroup to facilitate more detailed, technical, discussion of issues relating to green public procurement (GPP) and broader sustainability and climate considerations in public procurement.
Further to ongoing engagement by OGP officials in recent years in explaining and promoting green public procurement, the OGP recently hosted a Conference ‘Go Green: From Policy to Practice’, which highlighted examples of the transition to green procurement both within the OGP and across a number of public sector bodies.
The line with the Programme for Government the OGP and its partner Central Purchasing Bodies (CPBs) have been reviewing all central purchasing arrangements to identify opportunities to include green considerations. 165 central arrangements had been updated to include green criteria by the end of 2021. A further 41 arrangements will be updated to include green criteria this year and next.
95. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans the Office of Public Works has to improve access and facilities including safe parking for buses, bicycles, ponies, traps and so on to the Dún Aengus site in Árann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11300/22]
View answerI can confirm that The Office of Public Works is advancing plans to refurbish the existing visitor centre at Dun Aonghusa. The scheme include provision of new visitor interpretation of the monument, upgrading of ancillary facilities within the building and some landscaping works around the visitor centre. The wider project also provides for investment in new signage and interpretation at a number of historic sites on the island.
With regard to the possible expansion of other facilities at the site, discussions are ongoing with regard to the acquisition of land adjacent to the visitor centre but this process has not yet reached a conclusion.
96. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department in the course of consultation with landowners on its primary function of flood defence infrastructure in future consider ascertaining if landowners would be willing to grant permissive access to those parts of lands for walking or cycling infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11398/22]
View answer110. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the engagements his Department has had with local authorities or other agencies in relation to the potential of flood defence infrastructure such as levees for walking or cycling infrastructure; if Fáilte Ireland, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, local authorities or local development companies has engaged with his Department in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11397/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 110 together.
Engineering and environmental consultants appointed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and local authorities, under the current national programme of major flood relief schemes, as part of the National Development Plan, do assess the potential to enhance local public realm and environment within reasonable costs as part of the scheme’s overall design for a at risk community.
While the provision of walkways and cycleways is a matter for local authorities, the OPW is happy to work with the local authorities and other State bodies with their planned development of such community assets, where feasible. In this context, consideration of greenways forms part of the consultant’s brief for flood relief schemes being designed for Limerick City and Environs as well as Dundalk and Ardee, Co Louth.
The OPW carries out a programme of Arterial Drainage Maintenance to a total of 11,500 km of river channel and approximately 730 km of embankments nationally. These maintenance works relate to arterial drainage schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. The OPW has a statutory duty to maintain the completed schemes in proper repair and effective condition. These embankments are not in State ownership but are on lands that are, for the most part, privately owned. I am advised that these embankments were not designed or constructed to cater for cycleways or walkways and might not have the capability to have any sort of walking or cycling infrastructure placed on top of them.
97. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the planned changes regarding Standards in Public Office rules and regulations; the expected timeframe for the finalisation of the general changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11507/22]
View answer120. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of his review of the Ethics Framework; the date he plans to reintroduce the public sector standards Bill 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11385/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 120 together.
The Government agreed to my proposals for the Review of the statutory framework for Ethics to which Deputy Farrell's question refers in September 2021. In brief, this Review is examining:
- Ireland’s existing ethics legislative framework,
- The recommendations of relevant tribunals of inquiry,
- Recommendations made by the Standards in Public Office Commission based on its operation of the current regime,
- The views of key stakeholders;
- Current EU/international best practice; and
- The views submitted by way of a public consultation.
Formal stakeholder engagement for the Review commenced in November. A public consultation exercise launched in November and closed in mid-January 2022. Key elements of context for the draft review report’s findings have been drafted, including a detailed survey of Ireland's current provisions, and a survey of the arrangements in a number of relevant and comparable jurisdictions. An initial engagement has also taken place with relevant Government Departments and the Office of the Attorney General.
I expect the Review to be completed by end June. The outcome will then inform proposals for legislative reform that I intend to bring to Government later this year. In seeking to develop a renewed legislative initiative, my Department will take as its point of departure the policy approach underlying the 2015 Public Sector Standards Bill (and set out in November's Public Consultation Paper), which lapsed when the Dáil was dissolved in January 2020 in advance of the last General Election. Very broadly, this involves consolidation of the statutory framework for ethics and giving effect to relevant recommendations of the Mahon and Moriarty Tribunals.
98. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps that are being taken to improve financial accountability and transparency in the funding provided by Government to the non-governmental sector. [11474/22]
View answerThe requirements for the management of grant funding provided from public monies is governed by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. This circular focuses on transparency, accountability and value for money and details the responsibilities of those issuing and receiving grants.
The financial management principles, procedures and additional reporting requirements outlined in Circular 13/2014 apply to all grant funding originating from the Exchequer. The provisions of Circular 13/2014 apply to the movement of funds from a Vote to an outside body, and to any/all onward movements of that funding. The objective is to ensure that all Exchequer funds, regardless of the method of distribution, are accounted for and properly managed.
The circular sets out details of the responsibilities of both grantor and grantee organisations. This includes, for instance, clarity on the objectives of the funding, details in respect of financial reporting and requirements in respect of audit.
The Accounting Officer for each Department acknowledges responsibility for ensuring that an effective system of internal financial control is maintained and operated in the Statement of Internal Financial Control included in the annual appropriation accounts. It is an ongoing requirement for all Departments to review their systems of financial control, which would include issues arising in terms of the implementation of the circular. Where weaknesses emerge, through such reviews, or other processes like internal audit, it is a matter for the Department concerned to take actions to strengthen the controls in place.
102. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent of the OPW’s engagement to date with other State Agencies regarding advancing the tender for the new Garda Station for Macroom, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11396/22]
View answerI would refer the Deputy to the Department of Justice for current information on the status of this project, which, it is understood, is to be procured under a Public Private Partnership arrangement (PPP). OPW prepared a design for the project, which was the subject of a Part IX Planning consultation in 2020/2021.
103. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding being allocated by the Office of Public Works for its projects at Carlow Castle and Carlow courthouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11269/22]
View answerIn relation to works at Carlow Castle, OPW have just completed the structural remediation works to the south eastern tower following storm damage and the site has been open once again to the public since October 2021. Additionally, some localised fencing has been placed on site to keep visitors back from the face of certain walls within the castle complex.
These areas require further structural investigations and assessments and provision has been made in this years budget to allow for these surveys to be completed before a works programme can be put in place for possible further remediation works.
With regard to works to the railings at Carlow Courthouse, the contract value for this project is €419,181 excluding VAT and works are currently underway on site.
104. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures his Department is taking to mitigate pressures on the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11506/22]
View answerIn 2020 we saw a fall in prices as a result of the pandemic. As we emerge from the pandemic and the economy recovers we are faced with a new set of challenges including rising energy prices and transitory supply issues which are causing prices to increase.
In this context Budget 2022, included a range of measures to support citizens with the rising cost of living.
The measures introduced in Budget 2022 included:
- €5 per week increase in weekly Social Welfare payments;
- €3 per week increase in the Living Alone Allowance;
- €3 per week increase in the qualified child increase for children 12 and over and €2 for under 12;
- Increase in the threshold for the working family payment;
- €5 increase in the weekly rate of fuel allowance;
- Youth travel cards to provide discounted fares for people aged 19-23;
- A range of affordability measures in health including a lowering of the threshold for the Drug Payment Scheme to €100, free GP care for children aged six and seven, and measures to reduce the financial burden of hospital charges for children under 18; and
- A new funding stream that will be open to Childcare providers in return for a commitment that parents’ fees will not increase. Fees have been frozen since mid-2020.
However, the Government is acutely aware of the challenges still facing households, in particular relating to energy bills and especially for those at lower incomes.
In recognition of the challenge that households face at the moment with rising energy costs, in particular those on low incomes, we announced on 10 February a further package of measures, bringing to over €500 million the measures introduced post Budget day, targeted at mitigating the impact of these pressures. This package included:
- An increase in the energy credit to €200 including VAT, estimated to impact just over 2 million households.
- A lump sum payment of €125 to be paid in March to fuel allowance recipients.
- To reduce the burden on people returning to the workplace and other people using public transport, there will be a temporary reduction in fares of 20% on PSO public transport services from early May to the end of the year. This will impact approximately 800,000 daily users.
- The Drug Payment Scheme threshold will be further reduced to €80 per month, having been reduced to €100 per month in Budget 2022. This will benefit just over 70,000 recipients.
- The increase in the threshold for the working family payment announced on Budget Day will be brought forward from June to April.
- Reduced caps for multiple children on school transport fees to €500 per family post primary and €150 for primary school children for the next academic year.
105. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the position of the Céide Fields visitor centre incorporating a new exhibition and interpretation centre; when funding will be provided for the centre; when the new centre will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11400/22]
View answerThe Céide Fields Visitor Centre highlights the internationally significant, unique Neolithic farmed landscape preserved beneath the blanket bogs of North Mayo. Over the last eighteen months the OPW has been working on an important project to renew the visitor experience at the centre which has undergone an entire transformation.
The all-new exhibitions, which are jointly funded by the OPW, Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, under a Joint Strategic Tourism Capital Investment Programme, uses state of the art technology to give an insight into the lives of our Céide Fields ancestors and the ever-changing landscape of this part of the Mayo coast. The OPW has also significantly enhanced the ancillary visitor facilities by improving universal access to the site and bringing the building up to current building regulations.
A highlight of the refurbished centre will be an immersive audio-visual experience. The exhibition will take visitors through the changes from both natural and human forces over thousands of years, from the pre-farming hunter-gatherers to the settlement by the Céide Fields farmers and into the later Bronze Age. Many different techniques have been incorporated into the centre to significantly enhance the visitor's experience including artist reconstructions, video and replica artefacts.
The progress of refurbishment works at the centre was negatively impacted by the pandemic but I am pleased to confirm that works are almost complete and it is planned that the centre will re-open to the public in mid-April 2022.
106. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider increased investment in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General to ensure the high quality audit of public funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11404/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Revised Estimates Volume 2022 provided €16,050,000 (Gross) for the operation of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. This allocation was provided following the consideration of a business case received from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in advance of Budget 2022.
This allocation represents an increase of some €544,000 (4%) on the gross amount of €15,506,000 for the operation of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2021.
The year on year increase continues to support the Office’s requirement to increase their staff complement to further increase capacity in their examination and reporting programme. The table below reflects the sustained increase in resources provided to the Office since 2018:
|
Current Expenditure |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
C&AG |
12,642 |
13,977 |
14,638 |
15,147 |
15,506 |
16,050 |
|
Year on year increase |
1,335 |
661 |
509 |
359 |
544 |
|
|
% increase |
11% |
5% |
3% |
2% |
4% |
My officials will continue to consider the resourcing requirements of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in line with the Estimates process and within the overall expenditure parameters set by Government.
108. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has an action plan or ideas for increasing the number of tourists or visitors to the Loughcrew megalithic tombs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10206/22]
View answerEach year, the Heritage Services division in the Office of Public Works carries out a programme of international and domestic marketing actions to promote all heritage visitor sites in its management and care.
The megalithic tombs of Loughcrew are an extraordinary part of our national heritage which are particularly vulnerable and require careful conservation and management. Unfortunately, in recent years there have been increases in reports of damage to archaeological monuments including Loughcrew Cairns. As a result, promotional efforts relating to Loughcrew will focus on reminding people of the importance of protecting this significant heritage site and, indeed, all of our country’s unique archaeological and architectural heritage sites, many of which are extremely vulnerable.
This messaging strategy follows on from the ‘Protect our Past’ campaign run jointly by the OPW and the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2021 which focused on raising awareness of the value, importance and uniqueness of Ireland’s archaeological heritage together with conveying the key messages for appropriate visitor behaviour at vulnerable heritage sites to ensure their survival in the landscape so that they can be enjoyed by present and future generations.
It is also worth noting that only one of the cairns at Loughcrew is in State ownership and that is accessible to the public at all times. This is one of the largest tombs in the complex and it is aligned to sunrise at the Spring and Autumn equinoxes and at these times people gather there to see the first rays of the sun. The monument attracted in excess of 28,000 visitors in 2019, but like many such sites, visitor numbers were negatively impacted by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
109. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood defence projects the OPW has planned for County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11026/22]
View answerI recently visited County Donegal and met with County Council officials where I was apprised of the ongoing progress in relation to Flood Relief Schemes in the County.
As I am sure the deputy is aware, fifteen projects were identified in County Donegal under the Flood Risk Management Plans announced in May 2018. Following consultation and discussions between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Donegal County Council (DCC), nine of the Donegal projects were selected and are being progressed in the first phase of implementation, in addition to a project already being progressed for Raphoe.
Consultants have been appointed for the design and progression of projects for Lifford, Burnfoot and Castlefin (the latter two bundled together); and Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Buncrana-Luddan and Ramelton (also in a bundled format). The flood relief projects at Downings, Glenties and Kerrykeel are also being progressed under the OPW-funded Capital Flood Relief Programme as Small Projects.
In addition, under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme, funding of €2,337,397 (€2.337m) was approved for projects in Donegal from 2009-2021, which includes €597,800 (€0.598m) for coastal erosion projects.
The proposed schemes for Donegal Town, Killybegs, Carndonagh, Rathmullan, Letterkenny and Dunfanaghy are not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed. The OPW and Donegal County Council are working closely with the intention of delivering the programme of flood relief projects identified for Donegal County within the timeframe of the current national development plan, subject to no external and unforeseen challenges, which, unfortunately, do arise, for example, through the planning process. The OPW, working closely with its Local Authority Delivery Partners, at all times strives to expedite and progress capital flood relief works with the minimum delay within the resources available to it.
111. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the impact on public finances of the of the National Treatment Purchase Fund and the likelihood that that impact will grow ever greater over future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11495/22]
View answerQueries in relation to the National Treatment Purchase Fund are matters in the first instance for the Minister for Health who has policy responsibility in this area.
The budgetary allocation for the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2022 is €150 million consisting of €100 million of core funding and €50 million in once-off Covid funding. This funding is targeted at delivering timely access to acute hospital services which is a key goal of Sláintecare and the funding is used to improve access to services and reduce waiting times for patients. The level of expenditure on the NTPF has increased over the last five years, with average year-on-year increases of around €25 million since 2018 including once-off funding.
The overall allocation for the Department of Health for 2022 is over €22 billion and this allocation has been provided to significantly increase capacity with more hospital and community care beds and additional doctors, nurses and consultants. Budget 2022 provides further resources to drive the strategic reform of the health system in line with Sláintecare.
Any future allocation for the National Treatment Purchase Fund will be subject to engagement as part of the Estimates process as is standard practice for expenditure programmes.
