Brendan Griffin
Question:125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if there is grant aid available to set up a wheelchair-accessible taxi business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22310/23]
View answerDepartmental Schemes
Questions (125)
Written answers
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing and wheelchair accessible vehicle grants, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. The NTA's Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Grant Scheme (WAV23) offers financial aid of up to €17,500 nationwide for the purchase or conversion of a new wheelchair accessible vehicle.
I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry and accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
In relation to supports available for the establishment of businesses generally, there may be grants available through the Department of Enterprise and Employment for this purpose.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Tax Data
Questions (126)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:126. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax received on all fuel and energy in the past five years to date. [22208/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Revenue that a breakdown of excise receipts for 2021 and prior years is available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/excise/receipts-volume-and-price/excise-receipts-commodity.aspx.
In relation to VAT, I am further advised by Revenue that traders are not required to identify the VAT yield generated from the supply of specific goods and services on their VAT returns. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the VAT yield on all fuel and energy related products and services using taxpayer information alone. However, using Revenue and third-party data sources, a tentative estimate of the VAT generated can be provided.
The total excise tax receipts for Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) Solid Fuel (SF), Natural Gas (NG) and Electricity Tax (ET) and the estimated VAT receipts in respect of fuel and energy for the past five years and the year to date are provided in the table below.
|
Year |
MOT |
SFCarbon Tax |
NGCarbon Tax |
ET |
Estimated VAT |
Total |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
2023* |
736.6 |
9.8 |
49.5 |
4.2 |
317.9 |
1,118.0 |
|
2022 |
2,220.9 |
25.9 |
94.5 |
3.5 |
1,333.2 |
3,678.0 |
|
2021 |
2,467.1 |
27.9 |
83.3 |
5.2 |
975.8 |
3,559.3 |
|
2020 |
2,219.7 |
23.8 |
65.0 |
2.1 |
845.96 |
3,156.6 |
|
2019 |
2,524.1 |
20.1 |
50.4 |
2.3 |
982.96 |
3,579.9 |
|
2018 |
2,518.9 |
25.3 |
50.0 |
2.5 |
1,012.9 |
3,609.6 |
* Provisional YTD April receipts
** VAT 2023 is estimated to end of March 2023
Departmental Data
Questions (127)
Catherine Murphy
Question:127. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of sporting organisations that have made proposals in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in respect of the distribution of the horse and greyhound fund; if he has received any requests from organisations (details supplied) to increase the betting levies since they were introduced; and the number of occasions he, his predecessors and-or officials have met with Horse Racing Ireland and Greyhound Racing Ireland. [22309/23]
View answerWritten answers
At the outset, it is important to clarify that in my role as Minister for Finance, I have no involvement in respect of the distribution of the Horse and Greyhound Fund. The Fund is under the remit of the Department of Agriculture as it contains equestrian and animal welfare elements, in this way it differs from regular sports funding. The way in which Exchequer funding to the Horse and Greyhound Fund is allocated is decided as part of the annual estimates process which is a matter for my colleagues, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Any request on proposals or meetings regarding the distribution of the Horse and Greyhound Fund would be more appropriately directed to their Departments and they would be best placed to provide the requested schedules. You should also note that there is no record of sporting organisations that have made proposals to the Minister for Finance in the years 2019-2023 in respect of the distribution of the Horse and Greyhound Fund.
Horse Racing Ireland has publicly made requests for an increase in betting duty in the past. The most recent increase in the betting duty rate was in Budget 2019, prior to that the last increase was in 1975. While historically there had been a link between revenues accruing from betting duty receipts and the allocation to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, there is no longer any hypothecation of these revenues. The Deputy should note that the yield from betting duty and betting intermediary duty goes directly to the Exchequer. Neither I nor my officials have had meetings with either Horse Racing Ireland or Greyhound Racing Ireland in relation to increasing betting duty in the years specified.
Question No. 128 taken with Question No. 14.
Cost of Living Issues
Questions (129)
Róisín Shortall
Question:129. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the specific measures his Department is taking to ensure better value for money on public expenditure; the steps he is taking to ensure that his Department is not contributing to inflation and the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22302/23]
View answerWritten answers
Public expenditure management and achieving value for money, within agreed Ceilings voted by Dáil Éireann, is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister.
Each Accounting Officer is responsible for:
• the safeguarding of public funds and property under his or her control with systems of internal control in place;
• ensuring that Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan & Reform sanction for expenditure has been obtained;
• ensuring that all relevant financial considerations are taken fully into account, and, where necessary, brought to the attention of Ministers in relation to the preparation and implementation of policy proposals.
My Department engages on an ongoing basis with all Departments. It will continue to monitor and develop our budgetary process to facilitate value for money being delivered across Government projects and programmes and ensure expenditure remains sustainable. In implementing further reforms, my Department will look to build on the budgetary reforms already in place and the significant work on public service reform already achieved. These reforms include:
• The 'whole of year' budgetary framework with publications at key points in the year including the Public Service Performance Report, the Summer Economic Statement, the Mid-Year Expenditure Report, and the Spending Review papers. These publications seek to support enhanced transparency, engagement in relation to budgetary issues and value for money.
• Improving and supporting the use of evidence informed policy making through the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service.
• Enhancing the focus on performance and national well-being through the performance and well-being frameworks.
Sustainable expenditure, over the medium-term, is delivered through a Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which provides for:
• core expenditure growth rate being set at sustainable levels in line with the trend growth rate of the economy; and
• ongoing improvements in public services and public infrastructure.
Recent inflationary pressures have required a responsive approach to the expenditure framework. To balance the immediate need to support households and our core public services against the longer term need to ensure sustainable public finances, a short term adjustment to the Expenditure Strategy was required.
Budget 2023 reflects a two pronged approach, as set out in the 2022 Summer Economic Statement (SES):
• Increasing the core expenditure growth rate above 5 per cent on a temporary basis for 2022 and 2023, supporting our public services; and
• Using funding outside of the core expenditure base for one-off or short-term measures to help our households, businesses and wider society with aspects of inflation.
This uplift in the growth rate, for 2022 and 2023, to above the long run average of 5 per cent enabled Government to take steps to support public services in a time of elevated prices. This short-term adjustment balances the two criteria underpinning the overall fiscal strategy. On the one hand, it provides additional resources to continue a steady upward trajectory of investment to support citizens through income supports, access to services and building infrastructure capacity. On the other hand, the upward adjustment is below the headline inflation rate to limit the risk of expenditure policy feeding into an inflationary spiral. In tandem with non-core expenditure response, this adjustment provides a balanced response to the challenging economic environment.
Moving forward, the expenditure strategy for Budget 2024 will be considered as part of the 2023 Summer Economic Statement.
Heritage Sites
Questions (130)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:130. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on plans to invest in conservation and improve the visitor experience in the Hill of Tara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11468/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Hill of Tara is a unique and significant landscape of international significance and it is the role of the Office of Public Works to preserve and protect it. In addition it is responsible for the promotion of an appreciation of the site through the development of a strong management framework.
The Conservation Management Plan for the site was published in September 2022. The Office of Public Works worked with stakeholders, including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Meath County Council to agree to this plan that will provide that necessary framework for a clear long-term conservation management plan for the state-owned lands at Tara, for the next decade.
The Plan has a number of strategic objectives relating to the protection and conservation of the State-owned lands on the Hill of Tara, the promotion and awareness of the site and the management and enhancement of the visitor experience, including sustainable visitor access. The OPW offers an audio visual experience and a free guided tour at the site during the summer months.
For the immediate future, a number of projects have been identified for 2023 and are to be implemented as the year goes on, these include a Biodiversity Audit in addition to the consideration and installation of temporary measures, subject to the necessary ministerial consents, to protect those areas of the site that suffer from heavy footfall, the surround to the Lia Fáil, for example. The Biodiversity Audit and review of landscape vulnerability will inform the Landscape Management Plan for lands in OPW Ownership which is currently in development.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (131)
Matt Shanahan
Question:131. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the departmental capital tracker plan outlining any improvements that have increased visibility on funding timelines and project completions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11589/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I have responsibility 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 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. However, no-one is in any doubt that the need to ensure timely project delivery must be part of the Government’s focus to respond effectively to the pressing challenges of our time, particularly in areas like housing, health and climate.
The Government is committed to detailing progress on the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency of the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This is achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country.
The capital tracker and interactive map are key tools in overseeing the progress of Project Ireland 2040. Their purpose is to facilitate communication, monitoring and planning of investments, to inform citizens of the variety of projects currently in the planning and construction phase in their local regions and throughout the country. They provide an aid to industry by communicating opportunities for investment by giving a greater overview to the construction and infrastructure sectors of the Government's investment commitments and future opportunities for these sectors.
The latest editions of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and interactive map, were published on the gov.ie/2040 website in February. The tracker includes comprehensive details on almost 320 large scale projects and 140 individual programmes, while the interactive map database includes an exhaustive overview of 1,240 individual projects.
The tracker and map databases contain project updates detailing a considerable amount of information, for example the tracker provides a brief outline of the project; the Department or Body responsible for delivering the project; the location and region of the project; the type of investment which links it to specific sectors; the alignment of the project with the National Planning Framework’s 10 National Strategic Outcomes; the current status of the project; the construction commencement date of the project; the completion or anticipated completion date of the project; the current stage of the project lifecycle as per the Public Spending Code and finally, there is also information on the project cost range.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (132)
Matt Shanahan
Question:132. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if details on capital commitments, by county and region will be given during the framing process of budget 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21803/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has responsibility for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments. Management and delivery of individual investment projects within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP) is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister. Expenditure is therefore allocated on a Departmental basis and not a geographic basis.
The Government has committed €165 billion funding for capital investment as set out in the NDP published in October 2021. The NDP includes indicative Exchequer allocations for each Department for a five year period (2021 to 2025) and the overall capital expenditure ceilings out to 2030. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF). The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which have been determined by the relevant Departments as central to the delivery of the NPF vision.
In 2024, almost €13 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, supporting balanced regional development and, most importantly, delivering the necessary infrastructure to support our future climate change obligations as well as our social and economic requirements.
Details of 2024 capital expenditure will be published for each Vote at subhead level in the Revised Estimates Volume, furthermore the allocations will be discussed in detail by the relevant Committee before being brought back to the House.
The Government is committed to detailing progress on the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency of the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This is achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer which list projects and programmes on a regional and county level.
The capital tracker and interactive map are key tools in overseeing the progress of Project Ireland 2040. Their purpose is to facilitate communication, monitoring and planning of investments, to inform citizens of the variety of projects currently in the planning and construction phase in their local regions and throughout the country. The latest editions of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and interactive map, were published on the gov.ie website in February. The tracker includes comprehensive details on almost 320 large scale projects and 140 individual programmes, while the interactive map database includes an exhaustive overview of 1,240 individual projects.
In addition there are annual reports and regional reports published on the gov.ie website highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements across all regions of the country.
Heritage Sites
Questions (133, 134)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:133. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the Office of Public Works appointment of an expert design team to complete Phase 1 works at the national monument site, 14 to 17 Moore Street, to include the team undertaking the work; details on the work themselves; and the timeframe within which the works will be completed. [22313/23]
View answerMary Lou McDonald
Question:134. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the Office of Public Works tender Phase 2 fit-out and presentation work at the national monument site, 14 to 17 Moore Street, to include the team undertaking the work if appointed; the details on the works themselves; and the timeframe within which the works will be completed. [22314/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.
As indicated in the Oireachtas last week, the OPW is in the process of appointing a professional Design Team to begin the process of resuming work on the Moore St 1916 Commemorative Centre. It is expected that a formal announcement will be made in relation to this within the next few days.
The proposed project at 14–17 Moore St will be undertaken in two Phases. Phase 1 will involve the careful conservation of the existing structures and their preparation for the Phase 2 fitting-out and the creation of the visitor experience. Phase 2 will also entail the construction of a new building at the rear of the buildings which will act as a Museum and display / event space. Elements of the two different phases will need to run sequentially while others will happen in tandem.
As indicated in previous Parliamentary responses, we are moving ahead with Phase 1 immediately. Preparations have also started within OPW for the Phase 2 project; a Request for Tender has been prepared in respect of the Interpretation Designer and this will be advertised on eTenders shortly. Tender documentation for the remainder of the Design Team for Phase 2 is also being prepared currently and will be advertised on eTenders when it is finalised.
It is not possible to state with certainty at this stage when the project will be complete.
Question No. 134 answered with Question No. 133.
National Development Plan
Questions (135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 143, 144)
Bernard Durkan
Question:135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he continues to monitor issues such as public procurement and-or the removal of any other administrative obstructions that might hinder the progress of the National Development Plan; the areas he has identified as central in such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22333/23]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform those areas of the National Development Plan that have been most successful in achieving their targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22334/23]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he continues to identify those sectors within the National Development Plan which he sees as being most crucial to achieving its targets in early date; the action taken or pending to expedite various processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22335/23]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he has identified areas where the National Development Plan needs to be expedited with consequential benefit to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22336/23]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he and his Department have identified issues relating to the National Development Plan, with the propensity to accelerate the plan or impede it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22338/23]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent of any reforms he might introduce to expedite the delivery of the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22341/23]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will identify the most urgently required changes in the delivery of services likely to be needed in the event of an improved performance in the implementation of the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22342/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 143 and 144 together.
As 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 National Development Plan (NDP) are key responsibilities of every Department and Minister.
The NDP delivers total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. The renaming and reconstitution of my Department, to specifically include NDP Delivery, brings about a greater emphasis and mandate for the delivery of the NDP. In light of this new role, a review of the support structures and levers available across Government to maximise delivery of projects was undertaken. As a result, a series of actions and reforms were identified as priorities to improve delivery of NDP projects. I secured Government approval in March for six priority actions which are:
• Significant changes to reduce the administrative burden in delivering major capital projects;
• I am now taking a direct role in overseeing delivery of the NDP through chairing the Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board;
• Capacity reviews of departments and agencies with significant delivery programmes to be carried out, where appropriate, to ensure that adequate resources for project delivery are in place;
• Additional reforms to the Capital Works Management Framework, which sets out the contracts used for public capital projects;
• Direct reporting to Government on NDP delivery on a quarterly basis throughout 2023 and 2024 will now also take place and
• An independent evaluation of NDP priorities and capacity will be conducted over the coming months.
This package represents a fresh approach to securing delivery as part of my Department's enhanced remit around the NDP. As you know, my Department is responsible for the Public Spending Code (PSC), which sets the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing Exchequer-funded capital projects. As I mentioned earlier, the package of reform actions which I announced in March include significant changes to reduce the administrative burden for Departments. Some specific changes designed to streamline the project lifecycle and approval process include:
• The general threshold for major projects increasing from €100m to €200m, allowing for projects below this limit to progress more speedily through the appraisal and evaluation process.
• The reduction of the number of approval stages prior to implementation from 5 to 3, reducing the administrative burden on Government departments charged with developing and delivering projects.
• The removal of the requirement for a project to prepare a separate Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) at the start of the process. Instead, all the requirements previously required as part of a SAR must now be completed, and incorporated, as part of the Preliminary Business Case (PBC) at the first approval stage.
These changes have already been implemented through Government circular 06/2023. Further appraisal guidance will be published shortly, known as the Infrastructure Guidelines, as part of capital project development, which will supersede the existing Public Spending Code.
I am confident that the combination of the six priority actions above will boost the delivery of the critical infrastructure we need to support a growing economy and higher living standards for those living here. In particular, I believe input of experts on the Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board will highlight the key impediments to project delivery and I will work towards delivering mitigating actions to boost project delivery.
In addition, my Department will continue to work closely with the construction sector in order to improve efficiency and enhanced delivery through the Construction Sector Group. Important initiatives have been launched and supported through the Construction Sector Group to increase productivity in the sector. These include the recently established Construction Technology Centre, known as Construct Innovate, to accelerate research and innovation within the sector; the Build Digital Project funded by my Department to support the sector in its transition to digital; the adoption of Building Information Modelling; and an analysis of the cost of residential construction which was recently published.
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. All such updates are available on gov.ie/2040.