Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
257. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the reason for capital expenditure running €212 million behind profile, as outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37477/23]
View answerThe table below sets out the expenditure compared to profile to end Q2 2023 and represents the broad picture at the end of Q2, prior to the publication of the Mid-Year Expenditure Report.
|
Programme |
2023 Budget (€m) |
End Q2 Profile (€m) |
End Q2 Outturn (€m) |
|
A - Active Travel and Greenways |
356.024 |
42.806 |
41.264 |
|
B - Carbon Reduction and Public Transport |
1,007.720 |
408.170 |
236.719 |
|
C - Road Networks and Road Safety |
1,228.550 |
264.847 |
239.479 |
|
D - Civil Aviation |
19.774 |
0.061 |
0.052 |
|
E - Maritime Transport and Safety |
10.186 |
1.518 |
0.418 |
As the table demonstrates, the bulk of the underspend to end Q2 is related to delays in public transport investment. The reasons for the underspend are set out below.
• The contract award for the signalling element of the Cork Commuter Rail project was signed on 30th June, delaying payment by circa two months .
• A second milestone payment for DART+ fleet is due in Q3 to bring expenditure back on profile.
• Expected Kishoge station works deferred by a short period.
• A delay in the procurement process for the Client Partner contract for MetroLink. This contract was signed in Q2 and expenditure is expected to get back on profile.
• Delays in works for the BusConnects depot electrification programme. Work has begun in Summerhill and expenditure is expected to return to profile.
• Delays in the payments for new bus fleet.?The fleet is expected to be tested and begin entering service this year and expenditure should increase by year end.
The balance of the underspend primarily relates to national roads construction and development. At the end of 2022 TII was holding excess cash in its reserves, which has depressed the demand for drawdown of capital in 2023. While not impacting the progress of projects it is causing mismatches between forecast capital requirements and drawdown.
My Department will shortly bring the Q2 capital memo to cabinet, which will provide a detailed overview of the investment progress to end Q2 2023.
