I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 94 and 195 together.
The national development plan sets out a strategic framework for the development of economic and social infrastructure over the period 2000 to 2006 and provides for a total investment of approximately £24 billion, current prices, for such development. The national development plan has been further elaborated in the economic and social infrastructure operational programme and in the operational programmes for the Border, midlands and western and the southern and eastern regions. Of the total planned investment, approximately £19 billion is for infrastructure programmes coming within the remit of my Department, including – national roads £5.4 billion; non-national roads £1.9 billion; water and waste water £3.5 billion; housing £7.2 billion; waste management; £0.65 billion; urban and village development £0.13 billion.
Work is now well under way in my Department, local authorities and the National Roads Authority on the detailed programming of the work required and in the planning, design and implementation of individual infrastructure projects. Expenditure on these programmes in 2000 amounted to £1.75 billion, which is in line with NDP targets.
Total EU funding for infrastructure, including projects under the remit of my Department and others, over the period 2000-2006 is £1.47 billion or 6% of the total planned investment. I am satisfied that all EU funding will be fully drawn down over the plan period.
Implementation of the infrastructure investment programmes provided for in the NDP and its associated operational programmes is being actively pursued at all levels with a view to the timely completion of all NDP programmes. Implementation will be subject to full mid-term review in 2003 and is being closely monitored.
Every effort is being made to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of improved infrastructure throughout the country. As part of the effort, a broad-ranging package of measures is being pursued under the direction of the Cabinet committee on infrastructure development to support the process of implementation. These include the promotion of public private partnerships, new procedures for improved management of projects, improved arrangements for dealing with archaeological requirements, a communications strategy to gain maximum support for the NDP programmes, measures to increase the capacity of the construction industry, and the transfer of certain project approval functions to An Bord Pleanála.
I am satisfied a good start has been made on the implementation of the NDP infrastructure programmes and that progress will continue towards achieving the ambitious objectives set out in the national development plan.