Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2022
118. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the expenditure measures that have been effective in funding public services; the guidance that his Department has provided to enhance productivity in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31030/22]
View answerMy Department is committed to delivering initiatives that enhance productivity in the construction sector. The Construction Sector Group (CSG) and the Construction Sector Subgroup are committed to delivering initiatives that enhance productivity, through seven priority actions.
In November 2021, I announced funding of €2.5 million over 5 years for the Build Digital Project (BDP). The BDP will transform the Irish construction and built environment sectors by enabling all stakeholders to develop, maintain, and continuously improve their capabilities through digital adoption to support delivery of PI2040. Overall, the project will enable parallel positive impacts for organisations across productivity, sustainability, procurement, and standards adoption.
Of the seven actions, work is ongoing on the national rollout of eplanning applications by the Local Government Management Agency. The option to submit planning applications digitally is now available in Galway and Tipperary. Other counties are currently being progressed in three waves, with the aim to finish this project by early 2023.
Other actions include the establishment of the Construction Technology Centre (CTC) which will support technological transformation in the construction sector. This will be established in early 2023. Additionally, work is also progressing on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The adoption of MMC will be vital in driving innovation in the wider construction sector, contributing towards the achievement of the Government’s ambitious capital investment plans.
Collaboration and continued engagement with industry representatives through the CSG is resulting in positive developments in terms of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the construction sector, which will in turn enable the delivery of the Government's ambitions under the NDP.
Finally, a range of budgetary reforms have been put in place in recent years, to drive spending efficiency and effectiveness and the Programme for Government commits to continuing reform and improvement of the budgetary process. This work includes the ‘whole-of-year’ budgetary framework, the Spending Review process, Performance Budgeting and Equality Budgeting and the development of the Wellbeing Framework for Ireland.
