Olwyn Enright
Ceist:107 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans to introduce a new development plan to succeed the NDP; and if he has instituted a system for prioritisation of projects for inclusion. [13280/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 27 April 2005
Ceisteanna (84)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government has taken no decision as yet as to whether there will be a successor to the current seven year national development plan which will run until the end of 2006. Unlike previous occasions there is no requirement under the 2007-13 draft EU Structural Funds regulations to prepare a national development plan.
The introduction of the rolling multi-annual capital envelopes in budget 2004 provides a medium term financial framework for public capital investment. The 2005-09 envelope which I announced on budget day sets out the Government's priorities for public capital investment over that period. More generally the envelopes provide Departments and implementing agencies with relative financial certainty in planning capital programmes and projects over the medium term. I will examine whether the capital envelopes need to be augmented through a post-2006 national development plan and will make my recommendations to Government in this regard in due course.