I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 223 together.
Exchequer funding has been allocated under Vote 32 to the following agencies under the remit of my Department since 2007:
State Body
|
Vote 32 Funding 2007
|
Vote 32 Funding 2008
|
Vote 32 Funding 2009
|
Vote 32 Funding 2010
|
|
€000
|
€000
|
€000
|
€000
|
CIE Group
|
776,269
|
911,036
|
726,808
|
496,129
|
Railway Safety Commission
|
2,090
|
2,078
|
2,014
|
400
|
Railway Procurement Agency
|
11,000
|
10,958
|
10,598
|
29,748
|
National Roads Authority
|
1,782,874
|
1,679,461
|
1,470,009
|
1,636,324
|
Dublin Transportation Office / NTA
|
41,593
|
59,017
|
38,472
|
353,512
|
Road Safety Authority
|
31,124
|
39,704
|
32,835
|
28,746
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety
|
5,911
|
4,448
|
4,363
|
4,557
|
Marine Casualty Investigation Board
|
300
|
250
|
200
|
250
|
In addition to the figures shown above, the following funding has been allocated to regional harbours for remedial works in the last four years:
Year
|
€m
|
2007
|
10.5
|
2008
|
3.705
|
2009
|
3.699
|
2010
|
4.1
|
More detailed information in relation to the individual Subheads, the amounts provided and the outturn for each year can be found in the relevant Revised Estimates Volume, published by the Department of Finance and available on its website. Up to 10% of an unspent capital allocation can be carried over into the following year. Where this occurs the relevant information is also published in the Estimates. The reasons for material variations in any Departmental Subheads are set out in the Annual Appropriation Accounts which are available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Funding for the agencies is provided in the form of general block grants and in the form of specific grants for particular purposes. In the case of the National Roads Authority, for example, funding for national roads is provided in the form of block grants and it is a matter for the Authority under statute to decide on allocations to individual projects. Similar provisions apply to the National Transport Authority.
Exchequer funding has to be spent for the purpose for which it was allocated, but there are procedures in place to enable a transfer of funds between projects or Subheads where under-expenditure occurs or where additional funding is required.
There is a regular dialogue between my Department and its agencies in relation to funding and in the case of the NRA and NTA, which account for a large proportion of expenditure under my Department's Vote, there are regular monitoring meetings which review expenditure to date, future spending requirements and the outcome of the annual Budget process.