Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Public Capital Programme.

John Bruton

Ceist:

892 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if in the past three months, she has decided to move aspects of the public capital programme expenditure of her Department into a public private partnership provision; if so, her plans in this regard; the reasons for the decision; and the implications of this decision for the categorisation of the expenditure in question under the Stability and Growth Pact of Ireland for participation in the European single currency. [2217/02]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The capital programme being implemented by my Department is in part concerned with the conservation and preservation of our heritage and language and also with infrastructural and industrial development in Gealtacht areas. It also includes infrastructural works on islands and on the mainland from which locations islands are serviced. This programme is being undertaken directly by my Department and also through grant aid to groups and organisations in respect of projects relevant to my Department's remit, such as cultural development projects. While no opportunities have as yet been identified which lend themselves to be part of a public private partnership, this is an issue which both my Department and agencies reporting to it will keep under active review with a view to pursuing viable PPP opportunities as and when they arise.