Ivor Callely
Ceist:155 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance the benefits of the implementation of the national development plan on the economy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24830/01]
Written Answers. - Departmental Spending.
The national development plan is a £40.6 billion – 51.6 billion – investment programme in 1999 prices over seven years. Investment is being concentrated on economic and social infrastructure, human resource development, productive sector investment and regional development and rural development.
Investment in economic infrastructure will improve competitiveness and foster more balanced regional development through reducing differences in transport costs and other costs of production between different regions within the State. Investment in social infrastructure, particularly housing and health capital, will contribute to improvement in the supply of social housing and in the health services for all and reduce social exclusion.
Investment in employment and human resource measures will increase the quality of the labour force and make it more adaptable through the provision of further education and training; this is essential to achieving the objective of sustainable development and improved competitiveness. Investment in employment and human resources is also being targeted at the long-term unemployed and those at risk of becoming long-term unemployed and is thereby promoting social inclusion.
Productive sector investment is primarily aimed at consolidating and improving Ireland's competitiveness. This is being achieved through investment in research and development so as to aid the production of higher value added products and services and through support for marketing, foreign direct investment and indigenous industry.
While all of the investment programmes in the NDP contribute to the objective of balanced regional development, the two regional programmes are specifically targeted on development in the regions. Measures for local infrastructure, local enterprise and social inclusion, including child care are being funded under these programmes. These measures will complement those at national level and will provide a local focus to economic and social development.
Rural development is being supported through investment measures in the regional programmes and the Common Agriculture Policy rural development programme. These measures will help sustain the rural economy and rural population.