Written Answers Nos. 102-125
102. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he has drawn down Ireland's full entitlement under the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10518/23]
View answer109. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline the green transition provisions within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10519/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 109 together.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan is funded under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) with Ireland in line to receive €915 million in grants over the lifetime of the Facility. The RRF is a performance-based instrument with payment contingent on the achievement of milestones and targets.
Ireland’s Plan sets out the sixteen investment projects and nine reform measures (and their associated 109 milestones and targets) to be supported covering the following priority areas:
- Advancing the Green Transition;
- Accelerating and Expanding Digital Reforms and Transformation; and
- Social and Economic Recovery and Job Creation.
The overall objective of the plan is to contribute to a sustainable, equitable, green and digital recovery effort, complementing and supporting the Government’s broader recovery effort.
Implementation of the overall plan is well underway. As part of regulatory requirements, Ireland has reported to the EU Commission on biannual progress in October 2021, April 2022 and October 2022.
The RRF grant will be paid to Ireland in five instalments. The first payment request (FPR) process began in December with annual payment claims to follow until 2026.
The first step is an informal cooperation process between the Commission and Ireland. Upon completion of this informal process, Ireland will present a formal payment request to the Commission. The Commission will then carry out their formal assessment, which consists of a thorough check of the satisfactory fulfilment of Ireland’s milestones and targets. Following this, the FPR is considered by Council after which the Commission processes the payment.
The NRRP has a strong focus on the green transition with energy and climate related measures. Those measures include increasing carbon tax and reforming climate governance, promoting investments in energy efficiency, decarbonising the enterprise sector, promoting sustainable railway transport, rehabilitating peatlands, improving water treatment, and promoting green research and development. The measures supporting green objectives account for 42% of the plan’s total allocation.
REPowerEU is the EU’s response to the global energy market disruption caused by Russia's war on Ukraine and provides for further funding via the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This will require inclusion of a new chapter within the NRRP which will be subject to negotiation, assessment and agreement by the Commission. My Department, in consultation with other Departments is considering potential proposals for funding under this mechanism.
104. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he has established a benchmark within public bodies for the proportion of their procurement that is acquired under green procurement frameworks; and the targets that are being set for adoption in the years ahead. [10543/23]
View answerIreland’s National Action Plan on Green Public Procurement (GPP), ‘Green Tenders - An Action Plan on Green Public Procurement’, was published in 2012. ‘Green Tenders’ did not specifically outline targets for use of central purchasing arrangements, such as green framework agreements. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, as the department with policy responsibility for green public procurement, will be conducting a public consultation on a new GPP Action Plan and Strategy later this year.
In relation to monitoring, Circular 20/2019 instructed Government Departments to report on green public procurement in their Annual Reports. Departments also report annually to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on number and value of contracts signed in different sectors, and the proportion of these that are green public procurement. The EPA published the first amalgamated report on such spend in 2021, which shows that the proportion of spend in 2020 that Departments classified as green was high for priority sectors set out in ‘Green Tenders’. The proportion classified as green was low overall, however, on account of a low proportion of GPP in non-priority sectors. The EPA will publish the results of Departmental procurement spend in 2021 this year, and has commenced the process of gathering information on 2022 spend.
Additionally, in line with the Programme for Government, the Office of Government Procurement and its partner Central Purchasing Bodies are incorporating green and social considerations into framework agreements as they are updated. By the end of 2022, 156 out of the current 244 arrangements were updated in line with GPP.
The Government's Climate Action Plan 2021 introduced a GPP requirement in relation to procurement of vehicles in the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate. The new Climate Action Plan 2023 includes a revised Mandate that expands public sector GPP commitments relating to specific categories such as paper, vehicles, heating, catering, and construction, as well as broader implementation in line with GPP guidance.
107. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the Glashaboy flood relief scheme. [10495/23]
View answerI am advised that the Glashaboy River Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Cork City Council. The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork City Council are engaging proactively to progress the flood relief scheme for Glanmire.
The Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme was confirmed in January 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995 and is being funded from the €1.3 billion in flood relief measures under the National Development Plan to 2030, and as part of Project Ireland 2040. When complete the scheme will protect 103 properties from a significant risk of flooding.
Tender documentation for the procurement and appointment of a contractor was issued in September 2021 with a return date of 24th January 2022. Unfortunately, Cork City Council was not in a position to appoint a Contractor for the works on foot of this procurement process due to the inflationary market that arose during the tender evaluation and assessment period.
Cork City Council was hoping that the tender for the contractor would issue before the end of last year. A review of the commercial risks associated with the tender documentation involved some additional technical assessment prior to issuing the tender documentation. An Invitation to Tender for the Civil Works Contract was issued on 23 January 2023 and the tender return date is 13 March 2023. Following the appointment of a civil works contractor, works are scheduled to commence in Q2 2023. Key project partners are working to minimise the overall delay in the completion of these works.
110. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 19 January 2023, the status of the review of the programme for the Coirib go Cósta flood relief scheme; the status of the revised programme; if it has been completed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10372/23]
View answer133. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the Coirib go Cósta flood defences project in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10527/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 133 together.
I am advised that further to the Deputies questions on this matter, Galway 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.
The primary objective of the Coirib go Cósta Project is to assess, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Galway City.
While not complete, early indications from the ongoing hydrological and hydraulic modelling for the Scheme suggest that there may be a requirement to provide significantly more defences across the city than was initially anticipated through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme.
This increase in scope will have an impact on the programme. Accordingly the programme for this scheme is currently under review. It is expected that a revised programme will be available in the coming weeks and will then be uploaded to the project website.
111. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the national development plan in terms of delivering on the projects set out and achieved to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10564/23]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments. Management and delivery of individual investment projects within the allocations agreed under the NDP is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister. In response to the changed mandate for my Department in terms of National Development Plan Delivery, I am currently examining the support structures and levers available across Government to maximise delivery of vital infrastructure such as housing, schools, hospitals, roads and public transport. All options to improve delivery and ensure that capital allocations are being examined currently, with necessary reforms to be implemented once Government colleagues have been consulted.
The National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 (NDP), together with the National Planning Framework (NPF), combine to form Project Ireland 2040, which sets the overarching spatial strategy for the next twenty years for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland.
The NDP published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland over the next 10 years and delivers total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. The NDP establishes the Government’s over-arching investment framework and broad direction for investment priorities for this decade. The NDP also set out the range of actions that are being taken to strengthen delivery, maximise value for money and ensure to the greatest extent possible that projects are delivered on time, on budget and with the benefits targeted at the outset.
In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure. This level of expenditure will be pivotal in consolidating the progress already made, and, most importantly, delivering the necessary infrastructure to support our future climate change obligations as well as our social and economic requirements.
The Government is also committed to continue to detail the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This will be achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and map as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements.
112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has examined the feasibility of providing for future greenway, walking and cycling infrastructure when planning further flood protection schemes in the vicinity of coasts, rivers and other locations; the consultation that has taken place with other Departments and agencies in this general area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10532/23]
View answerEngineering 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 a scheme’s overall design for at risk communities.
While the provision of walkways and cycleways is a matter for local authorities, the OPW works with the local authorities and other State bodies in relation to 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 for Dundalk and Ardee, Co Louth.
All design briefs typically require the consultant to assess the potential for the Scheme to enhance the local public realm and environment, within reasonable cost. As part of the development of any scheme there are typically collaborative workshops held with the council and the wider stakeholder groups one purpose of which is to determine if and how these public realm goals and objectives may inform design features for a Scheme that would bring added value to the project. This is achieved through a joined up approach to public sector works and provides multiple benefits and results in a more locally valuable and acceptable project.
113. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the engagement he has had with a group (details supplied) on its call for a stimulus package for the Northern and Western Region, as well as increased capital investment in the region’s infrastructure assets, in view of the classification of the region by EU bodies as a “region in transition” and a “lagging region”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10373/23]
View answerCohesion policy is the EU strategy to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion of Member States, through measures to reduce disparities in development between regions. The European Commission classifies regions as Less Developed, Regions in Transition, or More Developed, based on GDP per head of population. The Northern and Western Region is a Region in Transition with GDP between 75%-100% of the EU27 average, benefitting from a higher EU co-financing rate, at 60% funding for programmes.
Ireland was allocated €396 million in European Regional Development Funding (ERDF). The Northern and Western region was initially allocated €110 million, with the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regions (more developed) allocated €286 million. My predecessor, in consultation with all Regional Assemblies, transferred €20 million in ERDF resources from the other Regions to the Northern and Western Region, increasing its allocation to €130 million, which, including Exchequer funding, amounts to €217 million over 2021-27.
There was extensive engagement with the Northern Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) on the 2021-27 programme. My predecessor appointed the NWRA as Managing Authority of the 2021-27 Northern and Western ERDF Programme, and after three years of collaborative work, Ireland's ERDF programmes were adopted by the Commission on 18th of November 2022.
Balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040. As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. My Department therefore allocates expenditure on a departmental basis, not a geographic basis.
The three Regional Assemblies, including the NWRA, are responsible for co-ordinating, promoting and supporting the strategic planning and sustainable development of their regions, by formulating Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES). Investment decisions made by Departments are informed by the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies.
Regional Reports on the Northern and Western Region have been published for the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 which give details of the specific regional projects and programmes being delivered in that region as part of the public investment detailed in Project Ireland 2040 - the reports are available on gov.ie/2040.
114. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has engaged in any deliberations with a company (details supplied) to amend the licence to ensure 98% of unclaimed prize money cannot be spent on self-promotion and marketing. [10535/23]
View answerThe use of expired unclaimed prize money from National Lottery ticket sales is set out in the licence to operate the National Lottery, which was won, following an open competition, by Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) in 2013.
The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL) is an independent regulatory office established by statute. The role of the ORNL is set out in the National Lottery Act 2013. A key function of the Regulator is to monitor and enforce compliance with the Act and the licence to operate the National Lottery.
In the context of the existing licence provisions and the roles and responsibilities of the Regulator and Operator in this regard, the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform has not engaged in deliberations with Premier Lotteries Ireland to amend the licence with regard to expired unclaimed prize money.
115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he continues to take action to expand and improve the public procurement process in a way that is appropriate to the ongoing needs of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10473/23]
View answerThe focus of the Procurement Reform Programme is to further develop the potential of strategic procurement, with an emphasis on sustainability and social considerations, public works reform and innovation.
A review of the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) commenced in March 2019 to improve the delivery of construction projects in terms of quality, timely delivery and cost outcomes. This review is part of a suite of measures, including the revised Public Spending Code, the Commercial Skills Academy, review of productivity in the construction sector, and the actions arising from the Supporting Excellence Action Team report, which taken together will improve works outputs.
The OGP is liaising with the Government Construction Contracts Committee and the Irish Green Building Council in developing standard metrics that can be applied to the evaluation of projects’ cost of use in service and full life cycle assessment, including the carbon impact of individual projects.
The Cost Control Templates published under the CWMF are also being reviewed, to incorporate the International Construction Measurement Standard (ICMS). Revised templates will be published in 2023. ICMS is a global standard for benchmarking and reporting of construction project cost and covers both capital and whole life costing while providing a way of presenting costs in a consistent format.
The inter-departmental Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, chaired by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), promotes the use of procurement to address wider social and environmental challenges. For example, the OGP is currently drafting an information note to give guidance to public bodies on how apprenticeships can be incorporated into public procurement contracts.
My colleague, Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, chairs the SME Advisory Group which meets quarterly to provide a forum for SMEs to discuss procurement issues. A review of the measures and strategies already in place to support SME access to public procurement opportunities is nearing completion. Increased levels of SME engagement in public procurement will help grow the economy and provide competition within the market.
My Department will continue the enhancement and refinement of public procurement processes to address the needs of the State whilst adhering to the EU and National public procurement rules applying.
116. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on efforts being made to fill posts across the public sector, given the difficulties currently being experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10593/23]
View answerThe labour market has shown marked improvements in recent years, and this will continue with the Department of Finance forecasting employment growth of 1.2% this year. These tighter recruitment conditions have impacted on recruitment across all sectors of the economy.
In parallel to these labour market developments, staff numbers in the public service have continued to grow over the last number of years. Between 2015 and 2021, the estimated numbers in full-time equivalent terms increased from 302,000 to 366,000, an increase of 64,000 or over one-fifth. The 2022 Public Service numbers (the latest is September 2022), including Local Government and the Oireachtas are 372,451 (FTE), an increase of almost 6,558 over the end of 2021 numbers.
Under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, the responsibility for recruitment policy in each sector is a matter for the relevant Minister. In the case of recruitment to the Civil Service, for which I have policy responsibility, the Civil Service 2024 Renewal Action Plan sets out actions to ensure that the Civil Service is an employer of choice with a range of initiatives under the Workforce, Workplace and Organisation of the Future themes to further attract, develop and retain diverse staff.
118. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will seek an update on the long-awaited council plans to provide a new community-based plaza at the historic St. Laurence's Gate in Drogheda, which is owned by the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10441/23]
View answerI am aware that Louth County Council's County Development Plan includes an ambition to upgrade the public realm in the vicinity of St Laurence’s Gate in Drogheda. No further details or scheme have been made available to my Office. The local authority are best placed to update the Deputy on its own plans in this respect and the Office of Public Works will be happy to engage with the local authority in due course if such plans advance and insofar as proposals relate to the National Monument.
119. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline the discussions that have taken place within his Department with respect to the future development and investment in Oldbridge House in Drogheda, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10440/23]
View answerOldbridge Estate was purchased by the State in 2000, due to its national significance as the site of the historic Battle of the Boyne. Following extensive renovation and development, the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, located in Oldbridge House, opened to the public in summer 2008.
In 2022, a Conservation Management Plan of the Estate was commissioned by OPW, to include Oldbridge House, the surrounding lands and all of the ancillary buildings. This is now at an advanced stage. This plan will serve as a statement of significance, which will consider the Estate holistically, setting out conservation and development priorities to further enable the Estate to deliver on its core mission - the presentation and sensitive interpretation of the Battle of the Boyne.
The future development of the site will be guided by the findings of the Conservation Management Plan, which are expected to include strategies for the restoration of the upper floors of Oldbridge House, and for the future use of the farmyard complex that overlooks the Battlefield.
Senior OPW officials are considering Oldbridge House's potential as a site of North-South community building and reconciliation, and are progressing this concept with their colleagues in the Shared Island Unit of the Department of An Taoiseach.
In anticipation of the outputs of the Plan, the OPW is progressing a number of enabling works projects, all of which are scheduled to be completed in 2023. These include the replacement of the existing structures in the ‘Oldbridge Village’ as well as the stabilisation of the Battle Oak. Preliminary work will also be carried out on ancillary buildings to confirm their condition and outline any necessary renovation works to follow.
The Conservation Management Plan will seek to strike a balance between meeting the needs of the ever-increasing numbers of visitors and sustainable tourism. It will set out how future development at Oldbridge Estate will ensure the conservation and protection of this unique historic site as well as supporting the site to continue to contribute to the tourism and economic agenda for Meath and south Louth.
Oldbridge is also an important site for biodiversity with a variety of habitats including grasslands, waterways and woodlands and the plan will ensure it continues to support the Government’s objectives in respect of climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. A biodiversity baseline study commissioned by the OPW is undergoing final edits at present and will provide valuable data on the habitats and species present on the Estate.
Visitors to Oldbridge House can also enjoy 225 acres of historic parklands, a canal side walk, the Walled Gardens, a tranquil Octagonal Garden which is believed to be unique in Ireland, and a varied events programme ranging from Battlefield Walks to biodiversity tours and living history displays. In 2022, the Estate welcomed close to 500,000 visitors, and the Visitor Centre in the house welcomed some 40,000 visitors to the exhibition. The OPW looks forward to expanding the offer for visitors to the Estate even further in the coming years.
120. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby a Deputy who resigns his or her party Whip loses his or her parliamentary activities allowance; if he will seek to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10589/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware from her previous enquiries to officials in my Department, provision for the Parliamentary Activities Allowance is made under the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 1938 as amended, most recently by the Oireachtas (Ministerial & Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act 2014.
The allowance is paid to the parliamentary leader of a qualifying Party in relation to expenses arising from the parliamentary activities of the Party. The legislation also provides that payments may be made to a Member of Dáil or Seanad Éireann who is elected as an Independent Member.
Payments are calculated by reference to the number of members elected to Dáil Éireann and members elected/nominated to Seanad Éireann and is fixed at the time of the election, or following a bye-election. Members subsequently leaving or joining Parties does not affect the position.
The Parliamentary Activities Allowance will only change during a Dáil term where a TD or Senator is no longer a Member of the Oireachtas e.g. if a TD or Senator was to resign the relevant monthly payment would be adjusted accordingly.
Accordingly, the position has been and continues to be that, after every General Election or Bye-Election, the allowance payments are re-calculated based on the results.
121. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform how departmental structures and processes are being revised to strengthen the delivery of vital infrastructure under the national development plan, in particular in relation to achieving balanced regional development, and how projects may be prioritised to maximise efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10265/23]
View answerThe National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 (NDP) published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland over the next 10 years, and delivers total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure across Ireland.
It is important to note that my Department’s role in the development of the NDP was to engage with Departments individually to set the overall capital allocations for sectors. However, each Minister must determine how expenditure within their Departmental allocations is distributed to sectoral priorities, programmes and projects to reach our shared Project Ireland 2040 ambitions.
As you are aware, my Department has been renamed to give an additional focus on the delivery of the NDP and to assist Departments in delivering on their much needed priority projects. I am looking at all the policy levers and supporting structures at our disposal that could support the delivery of critical projects as well as working with colleagues across Government to remove any potential barriers that are impacting on delivery. This work will focus on how projects are approved and appraised by the Government and Government Departments, the public procurement procedures required to comply with EU regulations under my own remit, and identifying capacity and capability gaps across the public sector and working to bridge these gaps.
Ensuring Value for Money for the Irish taxpayer remains a key priority for my Department while still supporting project delivery. In terms of the appraisal of major projects, external scrutiny will still be required through the application of the External Assurance Process and an assessment of the Major Projects Advisory Group prior to a Government decision. These steps are essential in ensuring rigour in project assessment and progress of ongoing developments.
In addition to focusing on public sector delivery capability, my Department will continue to work closely with the construction sector through the Construction Sector Group to improve productivity and delivery capacity. Important initiatives have been launched and supported through the Construction Sector Group in recent year including the Build Digital Project to digitise the sector, Construct Innovate to provide cutting edge research and the Demonstration Park for Modern Methods to showcase innovative building techniques.
Balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040. The investment strategy that the Government has set out in the NDP will have a transformative impact on the future of our employment opportunities, economic development and regional growth. It will not only deliver the infrastructure requirements for a growing population but will also sustain wages and jobs, modernise our construction sector and allow for regionally balanced growth across the country.
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which issues are being considered that are most likely to have an impact on improving delivery on the national development plan, with particular reference to specific infrastructure which is now, or likely to become in the near future, critical to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10472/23]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments. Management and delivery of individual investment projects within the allocations agreed under the NDP is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister.
The National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 (NDP) published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland over the next 10 years, and delivers total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure.
As you are aware, my Department has been renamed to give an additional focus on the delivery of the NDP and to assist Departments in delivering on their much needed priority projects. I am looking at all the policy levers and supporting structures at our disposal that could support the delivery of critical projects as well as working with colleagues across Government to remove any potential barriers that are impacting on delivery. This work will focus on how projects are approved and appraised by Government and Government Departments, the public procurement procedures required to comply with EU regulations under my own remit, and identifying capacity and capability gaps across the public sector and work to bridge these gaps.
Ensuring Value for Money for the Irish taxpayer remains a key priority for my Department while still supporting project delivery. In terms of the appraisal of major projects, external scrutiny will still be required through the application of the External Assurance Process and an assessment of the Major Projects Advisory Group prior to a Government decision. These steps are essential in ensuring rigour in project assessment and progress of ongoing developments.
In addition to focusing on public sector delivery capability, my Department will continue to work closely with the construction sector through the Construction Sector Group to improve productivity and delivery capacity. Important initiatives have been launched and supported through the Construction Sector Group in recent years including the Build Digital Project to digitise the sector, Construct Innovate to provide cutting edge research, and the Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction to showcase innovative building techniques.
The Government is also committed to continue to detail the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This will be achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and map as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements.
I am confident that our high levels of investment will produce the critical infrastructure we need to support a growing economy and higher living standards for those living here.
123. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on the discussions he has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the failure of Housing for All to deliver on its local authority build targets for 2022, particularly in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10595/23]
View answerThe delivery of local authority build targets is a matter for the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
124. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on the role his Department has in ensuring the progress of the commitments in the national development plan in supporting the current public housing programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10592/23]
View answerThe €165 billion national development plan to 2030 sets out the Government’s overarching investment framework and broad direction for investment priorities for this decade. The NDP also sets out the actions that are being taken to strengthen delivery, maximise value for money and ensure to the greatest extent possible that projects are delivered on time, on budget and with the benefits targeted at the outset.
As the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and monitoring monthly expenditure at a departmental level.
As you are aware, my Department has been renamed to give an additional focus on the delivery of the NDP and to assist Departments in delivering on their much needed priority projects. I am currently looking at all the policy levers, supporting structures and processes at our disposal that could support the delivery of all critical projects, including the housing programme. This work will focus on how projects are approved and appraised by Government and Government Departments, the public procurement procedures required to comply with EU regulations under my own remit, and identifying capacity and capability gaps across the public sector and work to bridge these gaps.
125. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress to date on funding works required on the weir at Ballincollig Regional Park; the engagement there has been with the local authority to progress these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10538/23]
View answerBallincollig Weir, which is part of Ballincollig Regional Park, is in the ownership of Cork City Council since the boundary change between Cork County and City in June 2019. The Weir had apparently been in a state of disrepair for many years before a breach occurred in December 2014, which has left the weir in extremely poor condition.
While there are no hydraulic benefits to the flood relief scheme from the weir, the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme Steering Group has agreed to assess the feasibility of incorporating any remedial works to the weir into the construction contract and budget for the proposed Scheme.
The nature of any such remedial works will be subject to an assessment of planning, structural, fisheries and cultural heritage considerations, which the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme Steering Group asked the Scheme’s design consultants, contracted by the OPW, to review. The consultants’ proposal to undertake a preliminary feasibility assessment and constraints study for the reinstatement of Ballincollig Weir has been approved and is ongoing and due to be completed, at the earliest in Quarter 2 of 2023.
