Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
363. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on the allocation of capital funding for construction of schools in Budget 2023; his plans to commit additional funding to ensure construction can resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13023/23]
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 and programmes within the allocations agreed under the NDP is a key responsibility of each 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. It is important to recognise that the country has already seen a step change in capital investment in a short period of time. In 2017, the total level of Exchequer capital stood at €4.6 billion, which has jumped significantly to the c.€12 billion this year.
The Department of Education received an allocation of c.€790 million in 2022, in addition to this the Department of Education also received a supplementary estimate with respect to capital of €300 million to support the Schools Building Programme, particularly with respect to capacity for SEN, and to provide additional capacity for Ukrainian students enrolled in schools. In 2023 the Department of Education has a capital allocation of €860 million, as agreed under the NDP.
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 within their existing capital ceilings. I am looking at all the policy levers and supporting structures at our disposal that could enhance the delivery of critical projects as well as working with colleagues across Government to remove any potential barriers that are impacting on delivery.
There is ongoing engagement between my Department and the Department of Education in the context of capital pressures. Increasing the supply of schools is a central commitment of Government, however, we must balance the significant demand for public investment across all sectors and regions of Ireland in the context of competing demands on expenditure.
