Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

139 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance the amount of moneys expended, and anticipated to be spent in 2002 on National Development Plan projects; the projects which have not and will not be proceeded with; and when such projects will take place. [21090/02]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The National Development Plan 2000-2006 is implemented through seven operational programmes, OPs. These OPs involve hundreds of projects of a capital and current nature. Some of these projects are under way while some are at conception and planning stage. In some instances implementing authorities still have to decide which projects will be funded over the remainder of the plan. It is, therefore, not possible to give the project level information sought by the Deputy.

Total NDP expenditure from 2000 to end June 2002 is estimated at some €15.432 billion. In the key area of investment in infrastructure total expenditure under the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme is estimated to be €10.4 billion by end 2002. This is €300 million ahead of target. Within this the Exchequer has invested some €800 million more than its original commitment.

While there has been good physical rollout of the NDP infrastructure investment with many key projects under way or in planning, output has been adversely affected by significantly higher than expected costs. Looking forward, these higher costs combined with the tight constraints arising from the deteriorating economic situation means that the target level of infrastructural output in the NDP will not now be fully achievable by 2006.

In relation to other operational programmes, progress is satisfactory in the Employment and Human Resources OP but behind target in the two regional OPs and the Productive Sector OP. This is due to a number of factors including lower private sector investment, awaiting State aids approval from the European Commission and the impact of the foot and mouth crisis in 2001. Future NDP investment under these OPs will also be subject to the public expenditure constraints referred to already in relation to NDP infrastructure investment.

If the Deputy wishes to get more details on projects under the NDP, I suggest he contacts directly the managing authorities for the individual OPs, who are as follows:

Operational Programme	Managing Authorities
Economic & Social Infrastructure Operational Programme	Department of Transport
Employment and Human Resources Operational Programme	Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Productive Sector Operational Programme	Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Border, Midlands & Western Regional Operational Programme	Border, Midlands & Western Regional Assembly
Southern & Eastern Regional Operational Programme	Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly
PEACE II Operational Programme	Special EU Programmes Body
Technical Assistance Operational Programme	Department of Finance