Written Answers Nos. 150-165
150. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected in vehicle registration tax, value added tax and customs duty for vehicles imported from outside the European Union in 2015, 2016 and 2017, by year and vehicle category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8521/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Revenue that the Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) in respect of used vehicles imported from outside the EU in 2015, 2016 and 2017 is shown in the table. A breakdown for new vehicles is not available. Customs receipts in respect of all motor vehicles are also shown in the table below. A breakdown of Customs receipts by vehicle category is not available.
|
|
Used Imports |
|
|
|
Customs |
|
VRT |
A |
B |
C |
M |
|
|
Category |
Cars |
Car derived vans |
Commercial vehicles |
Motor cycles |
All Categories |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2015 |
2.31 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
15.2 |
|
2016 |
2.5 |
0.09 |
0.01 |
0.03 |
13.2 |
|
2017 |
2.15 |
0.04 |
0.01 |
0.03 |
7.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is not possible to provide an estimate of the VAT yield on vehicles imported from outside the EU, as the information furnished on VAT returns does not require the source of the goods to be separately identified.
151. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the principal dwelling house average mortgage interest rate, fixed and variable, for each euro area country, in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8552/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recently available statistics on interest rates charged on new mortgage business in the euro area are detailed in the table. These statistics are harmonised across the euro area, and relate to euro-denominated lending to euro area residents, broken by broad interest rate type; variable and fixed. There is no breakdown available for property type. Therefore, the table relates to rates for PDH, BTL and holiday homes.
Table for PQ Ref No: 8552/18 for Written answer on 20/02/2018
|
New business1 (%) |
Total2 |
Variable3 |
Fixed |
|
Country |
2017-12 |
2017-12 |
2017-12 |
|
Austria |
1.83 |
1.65 |
2.03 |
|
Belgium |
2.02 |
1.95 |
2.02 |
|
Cyprus |
2.52 |
2.53 |
n/a |
|
Germany |
1.79 |
2.04 |
1.76 |
|
Estonia |
2.33 |
2.17 |
3.96 |
|
Spain |
1.83 |
1.59 |
2.03 |
|
Finland |
0.95 |
0.93 |
1.65 |
|
France |
1.6 |
1.6 |
1.6 |
|
Greece |
3.3 |
2.99 |
4.88 |
|
Ireland |
3.06 |
3.02 |
3.10 |
|
Ireland* |
3.18 |
3.26 |
3.13 |
|
Italy |
1.9 |
1.53 |
2.12 |
|
Lithuania |
2.07 |
1.96 |
4.95 |
|
Luxembourg |
1.71 |
1.56 |
1.81 |
|
Latvia |
2.57 |
2.36 |
7.11 |
|
Malta |
2.83 |
2.94 |
2.56 |
|
Netherlands |
2.4 |
1.96 |
2.48 |
|
Portugal |
1.57 |
1.52 |
1.63 |
|
Slovenia |
2.46 |
1.99 |
2.86 |
|
Slovakia |
1.76 |
1.86 |
1.76 |
|
Euro area |
1.84 |
1.68 |
1.88 |
Notes:
* These rates for IE exclude loan renegotiations. There is limited data availability of these rates for other euro area countries. Rates available on a comparable basis include renegotiations.
1. New business comprises all financial contracts which specify for the first time the interest rate, including all new (re)negotiations of existing loans. Detailed definition can be found here.
2. Euro-denominated loans for house purchase; total floating rate or initial rate fixation to euro area households (percentages per annum, rates on new business)
3. Euro-denominated loans for house purchase; floating rate or initial rate fixation of up to one year to euro area households (percentages per annum, rates on new business)
Source :
- ‘Total’ and ‘variable’ rates can be downloaded from the ECB’s user-friendly ‘Euro area statistics’ page here. Select ‘loan for house purchase, total’ and ‘loan for house purchase, x < 1Y’. Select ‘Euro area’ and ‘Ireland’ and click ‘Download’. A link will appear under the series selected, and when clicked will open an excel file with all individual euro area countries rates from current month back to 2003. The caveat on the IE rate is that it impacted by renegotiations. A more relevant comparative source for IE is found in columns D and F in Table B.2.1, found here.
- ‘Fixed’ rates by euro area country can be downloaded from here. A more relevant comparative source for IE is found in columns D and F in Table B.2.1, found here.
- Specific rates for Ireland by property type are available in Table B.3.1 of the Central Bank of Ireland Retail Interest tables here, for which there are no comparative euro area rates.
152. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the warning from the European Commission to all European Union, EU, companies regarding the significant border friction and costs after the UK leaves the EU's valued added tax area; and his plans to prepare Irish companies for same. [8183/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe VAT implications for Irish traders of the UK’s departure from the EU will depend on the terms of any EU – UK Agreement concerning the relationship between the EU and the UK, including during any transition period. In the event that traders importing goods from the UK are required to make a customs declaration on importation then VAT will become payable at that time together with any other import duties. However, there is a facility to defer payment of import duties, including VAT, to the middle of the month following importation. The Revenue Commissioners will provide information and support for business as details of any new arrangements are decided.
153. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason proprietary directors do not receive credit for PAYE paid when calculating a late filing charge; his plans to review same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8566/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that a proprietary director is a director of a company who is the beneficial owner of, or is able either directly or indirectly to control, more than 15% of the ordinary share capital of the company. As an office holder, a director is taxable on his or her directorship income under Schedule E and is subject to deductions under the PAYE system.
A director is a ‘chargeable person’ for income tax purposes and is obliged to submit an income tax return each year, notwithstanding the fact that all of his/her income may have been taxed at source under the PAYE system.
I am further advised that section 1084 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 imposes a surcharge on any tax payer for the late filing of a tax return.
In the case of a proprietary director, the surcharge is based on the income tax liability of the director before any credit for PAYE tax paid by the director. The absence of this provision would render the surcharge an ineffective deterrent to late filing by directors.
154. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that paid tax in each of the past ten years as casual workers; if the Revenue Commissioners have specific practices and procedures to deal with the tax compliance responsibilities of casual workers and their employers; if so, the practices and procedures in this regard; if the normal PAYE rules including rules relating to cessation of employment apply to casual workers; if casual workers are self identified as such to the Revenue Commissioners; if not, if other information is also relied upon; if he and the Revenue Commissioners have satisfied themselves that the date provided to them accurately reflects the nature and extent of casual work in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8636/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe remuneration of employees, including casual workers, is chargeable to tax under ‘Schedule E’ and is subject to deduction at source under the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) system, which employers are legally obliged to operate in accordance with Chapter 4 Part 42 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
I am advised by Revenue that because casual workers are subject to the PAYE tax deduction system on the same basis as all other employees, including in regard to cessation of employment, their details are not separately distinguished. As a consequence, it is not possible to extract specific data on the tax paid by casual workers or analyse their impact on the economy in the manner requested by the Deputy.
The tax compliance situation in respect of casual workers is examined as part of Revenue’s overall tax compliance programme for employers and employees. For example, during 2017 Revenue completed 27,753 employer level and 12,751 employee level compliance interventions that generated additional yield of €62.4m and €12.8m respectively.
The Deputy will be aware that Revenue is in the process of modernising the PAYE system, which will come into effect from 1 January 2019. The new arrangements will facilitate the flow of pay and tax information from employer payroll systems to Revenue in a seamless and real time environment. The data flows will include information in regard to employee start and cessation dates, which will in turn assist in further analysing casual worker trends.
155. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the meetings between staff of the Revenue Commissioners or his Department with staff working for the European Commissioner for Competition, Ms Vestager, between 2 January 2017 and 14 February 2018; the specific issue or piece of legislation under discussion or dispute; the names and grades of the staff representing Ireland at each meeting; the staff attending on behalf of the Commission at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8653/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is ongoing engagement, including formal meetings, between relevant officials at grades ranging from Assistant Principal Officer to Assistant Secretary in the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners with relevant officials in DG Competition on State aid matters of mutual interest across the entire Department.
The Deputy will appreciate that any such discussion with DG Competition must by its nature be a confidential process between Ireland and the Commission. It is not therefore appropriate to comment on the detail of any meetings held or the individual officials from the Department of Finance or the Revenue Commissioners who participate in such engagements.
156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number of vacant habitable dwelling units and vacant derelict residential dwelling units in the ownership of or part-ownership of or under the control of both his Department and agencies under his remit; the county in which each unit is located; the length of time each unit has been vacant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8665/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, my Department manages and controls the shared accommodation needs of both the Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of Departmental staff occupying accommodation within the State’s buildings portfolio. My Department is not involved in any direct rental of buildings occupied by staff. Departmental accommodation needs are provided for by the Office of Public Works via the OPW’s Property Management Services Section. In that regard, OPW are separately providing details in respect of properties falling within the remit of the OPW Commissioners.
I am advised that none of the bodies under the aegis of my Department has vacant habitable dwelling units or vacant derelict residential dwelling units in their ownership or part ownership or under their control.
157. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if banks (details supplied) involved in the tracker mortgage examination have set a limit to the amount of compensation their independent appeals panel can sanction for a person by way of compensation; if so, the limit in this regard; the reason such a limit is in place; the number of times the appeals panel has recommended a level of compensation above this limit; the response of the bank in those cases; the views of the Central Bank on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8696/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Bank has advised that it is not in a position to comment on lender specific supervisory information due to confidentiality requirements under Central Bank legislation.
However, in a more general way the Central Bank advises that its Tracker Examination Framework requires all lenders to identify all impacted mortgage customers and to address customer detriment in line with the Central Bank’s "Principles for Redress". These redress principles, along with various supplemental guidance, clearly set out the Central Banks expectations of lenders to provide appropriate redress and compensation to affected customers where tracker mortgage related issues are identified. An important part of the Examination Framework is the establishment of Independent Appeals Panels so that customers have further recourse options if they are dissatisfied with any aspect of the redress and compensation offers made by lenders.
The Central Bank has set out guidance for the governance, process and operation of the Appeals Panels. The guidance (please see relevant links:
Redress principles link
https://www.centralbank.ie/docs/default-source/consumer-hub-library/tracker-issues/appendix3-tracker-mortgage-examination-redress-principles.pdf?sfvrsn=4.
Appeals guidance link
https://www.centralbank.ie/docs/default-source/consumer-hub-library/tracker-issues/tracker-mortgage-examination-appeals-process-guidelines-dec2016.pdf?sfvrsn=4).
provides, inter alia, that where a lender decides to impose limits on the powers of Appeals Panels:
- that lenders will inform customers of such limits;
- that limits on the powers of Appeals panels must be reasonable and must not seek to undermine the independence of the Appeal Panel to make awards of additional redress and;
- where the Appeals Panel determines an award is greater than the limit specified is warranted given the specific circumstances of the case, the Appeals process must provide for a mechanism where such awards can be made. (e.g. refer to lender for sign-off by the lender's Tracker Steering Committee/Board).
Nevertheless, in respect of the lenders in which I have a shareholding interest the following information has been provided to me by those lenders:
PTSB - "The governing rules for both the Customer Appeals Panel (CAP) and the Independent Review Panel (IRP) include the limits applicable to each panel and the process to apply in awarding amounts in excess of these limits:
- The CAP can direct the Bank to pay an amount of additional compensation to a customer up to €35,000. In the event that the CAP feels that a customer has suffered a serious or severe detriment as a result of the Bank’s failures which justifies an award over €35,000, then the CAP can instead of making an award, refer the appeal to the IRP for a determination as the IRP has a higher awarding limit (detailed below);
- The IRP can direct the Bank to make payment of compensation up to a sum of €50,000 (excluding the compensation amount offered in the Redress and Compensation Offer) for non-loss of ownership customers (i.e. legal customers and those referred by the CAP above);
- For Loss of Ownership customers, the IRP can direct the Bank to pay an amount of additional compensation to a customer up to €250,000. If the IRP determine that a loss of ownership customer is entitled to an award in excess of €250,000 then they issue an IRP Recommendation that the Bank should pay an additional amount exceeding €250,000. The IRP Recommendation of any amount in excess of €250,000 must be approved by the PTSB Board before this excess payment is made to the customer. To date no such cases have arisen."
Bank of Ireland - "The appeals panel commenced its work in January. There is no upper limit on the amount of compensation that may be awarded. There is a Governance structure in place which does involve thresholds within which the Appeals Panels can operate without reference to the Tracker Steering committee. To date, there have been no instances to date where the Panels have recommended compensation in excess of the thresholds."
AIB - "The Independent Appeals Panel established by AIB, can award additional compensation(inclusive of the original Redress and Compensation payment) of up to €300,000 (if the mortgaged property is a home) or up to €150,000 (if the mortgaged property is a buy-to-let investment property). AIB will review any awards in excess of the limit on a case by case basis."
158. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the future extension of the mandatory use of the public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8164/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Services Card (PSC), and its online counterpart MyGovID, is the Government’s standard personal identity verification scheme, and it is core to delivering valuable public services to the people who need them in a secure and efficient manner. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is the lead implementation body for the production of the Public Services Card, the MyGovID electronic identity service, and the SAFE 2 identity registration process which underpins both via their network of Intreo offices. My Department works closely with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to govern the development of policy and manage the integration of the PSC and MyGovID into appropriate services provided by the Public Service.
In order to ensure services are provided to the right person, to protect personal data, and to support efficient service delivery by using a single, standard identity verification scheme across the public service, a growing number of public service providers are requiring that proof of identity is underpinned by the SAFE 2 identity verification standard. SAFE 2 is the highest level of citizen identity assurance available to public service bodies, and it is a matter for each to decide how the SAFE 2 identity verification standard is to be utilised for their individual services.
Over the course of the past year, my Department and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection have worked with a number of public bodies to integrate the Public Services Card and MyGovID, improving access to and security of their services. Currently, the Public Services Card and MyGovID underpin access to social welfare entitlements, first time adult passport applications, citizenship applications, Revenue services and driver theory test applications.
My Department along with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection continues to engage with Departments to assist with the integration of the PSC and MyGovID into services in line with the schedule set out in the eGovernment Strategy 2017 - 2020, published last year.
159. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 29 November 2017, the process by which external members of the top level appointments committee, TLAC, are appointed; the qualifications and skill sets sought in this regard; the level of professional human resources qualifications of each member; the rationale behind the decision to have two ex-officio members; the skill sets required by the two Secretaries General appointed; the process by which they were selected and appointed; the attendance record of each member; the number of occasions when a split decision occurred in terms of an appointment; the way in which such a decision is dealt with; the number of persons appointed to vacancies that had no connection with the civil of public service out of the 615 appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8475/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would direct the Deputy to my answer to PQ 52475/17 of 6th December 2017.
"The Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) operates in an independent manner and strictly on the basis of open competition and merit. TLAC is responsible for determining its own procedures and remit, subject to Government decisions as appropriate. All TLAC interviews are conducted by sub-panels of the Top Level Appointments Committee each comprising two Secretaries General, two external members and chaired by the TLAC Chairperson.
The process for the appointment of internal and external members to TLAC is undertaken by the Chair of TLAC and the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, with input from the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach.
The criteria for selection of external and internal TLAC members includes experience in HR; Senior Management leadership experience; Public Service management experience; functional experience in Strategy, Operations, HR, Finance, IT. Legal; Corporate Services; or other relevant senior functional experience.
All final interviews are conducted by sub-panels of the Committee, each comprising two civil service and three external members and chaired by an external member. There is adequate rotation among the members in the composition of boards.
Since early 2007 when the policy for open competitions for Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary and equivalent posts was first introduced, circa thirty six people were appointed from outside the civil service."
160. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons that applied for the voluntary homeowners relocation scheme in 2017 in County Roscommon; the number of applications that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8589/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn April 11th 2017, the Government agreed the administrative arrangements for a once-off Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme for those primary residential properties that flooded between 4th December, 2015 and 13th January, 2016. This is a national scheme of humanitarian assistance, targeting aid at those worst affected properties, for which there are no alternative feasible measures.
The Government decision confirmed that a homeowner had to meet a number of conditions to be eligible for assistance under this scheme, including:
- That floodwater entered and damaged the building during the relevant dates such as to render it uninhabitable.
- That the property was the homeowner’s primary residence at the time of the floods.
- That the affected property must have a significant probability of the recurrence of the flood depth, duration or frequency on a scale that could cause further serious and similar damage to the home.
- That the property is not due to or may not benefit from a planned or possible future major, minor or individual flood defence scheme.
- That the property may not be protected adequately from being flooded in the future, at an economically feasible cost, through other flood mitigation works including minor works, individual property protection or other possible measures that can be considered at this time.
- That the homeowner is unable to obtain flood risk insurance.
The OPW is working with each of the Local Authorities, using their extensive and detailed local knowledge, to consider if homes that have been flooded during the event may benefit from a known or possible engineering solution. A total of 75 homes are currently under consideration in this category.
Where it has been established that there is no viable engineering solution at this stage, the Local Authorities have contacted homeowners known to have flooded during the period in question, asking them to make contact with the OPW for information on the Scheme and they are given an opportunity to formally create an Expression of Interest.
In addition, homeowners had the opportunity to express an interest in the Scheme directly with the Office of Public Works, before 28th July 2017. To date, a total of 77 expressions of interest have been received by the OPW.
All Expressions of Interest are assessed at Stage 1 to determine whether or not the home meets all of the criteria for eligibility to the Scheme. Those homes that meet the criteria are invited to a meeting following which they may be requested to make an application form to progress for consideration at Stage 2 of the process. Where they do not meet the criteria, homeowners are notified that their home will receive no further consideration for the Scheme.
The numbers of homes within the process are changing regularly as homeowners make contact with the OPW and as assessments completed. The most up-to-date position is as follows:
- The OPW met with 8 homeowners in December 2017.
- A further 17 homeowners have confirmed attendance at meetings with the OPW, commencing during the week beginning 19th February, 2018.
Given that the overall number of homes currently under consideration for the Scheme is relatively low, there is a possibility that individual homeowners could be identified by providing data on a County level. In the event that numbers drop as the process evolves, there will be an even greater risk of identifying individual homeowners associated with this process. For that reason, it is not possible to provide figures at County level as requested by the Deputy.
161. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when legislation to increase the compulsory retirement age for public servants will be published; the timeframe for the legislation to pass in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8087/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 146 on 14 December 2017.
The legislation is on the list of priority legislation for publication in the Spring/Summer Session 2018.
162. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the completed report provided for in section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 on the issue of pay equality for public servants will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8092/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 29 on the 18th January 2018.
163. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the flood relief works for Caherlea and Lisheenavalla as part of the Clare river Claregalway drainage scheme have been completed; if not, the timeframe for same; if additional works are planned in this area; if so, the details of the proposed works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8282/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing extensive flooding in County Galway as a result of the November 2009 flooding event, a Joint Working Group, comprising OPW and Galway County Council officials was set up to identify flood mitigation measures for the region. A major scheme of works on the Clare River was recommended, in addition to some advance works, including the construction of flood eyes at Crusheeny Bridge and at Claregalway Bridge.
Works in the Caherlea / Lisheenavalla area commenced with the replacement of the existing bridge at Crusheeny by OPW as part of the advance works associated with the flood relief scheme in 2012.
Further works in this area include;
- Channel widening works commenced in mid-April 2017 from 1.3km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to immediately downstream of Crusheeny Bridge to form a two-stage channel. Works are due to be completed in Autumn 2018.
- Maintenance works on the Islandmore Drain are due for completion in Spring 2018.
- Construction of an embankment along the southern bank of the Clare River from 1.3 km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to the Islandmore Drain; to include the installation of a non-return valve on the discharge from the Islandmore drain is now complete.
- Works on the construction of the Carnmore/Cashla flood alleviation pipeline are due to commence later in 2018.
It is envisaged that the Claregalway Flood Relief Scheme will be substantially complete in early 2019.
164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the vacant Office of Public Works properties that may be suitable for an organisation (details supplied). [8359/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that there is currently no vacant property in Drogheda that would be available for use by the St. John’s Ambulance Group.
165. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the launch of the national development plan. [8182/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 16 February last, the Government launched the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 - 2027 following a special Cabinet meeting at the Institute of Technology in Sligo. The NDP comprises an investment programme of €116 billion, of which €91 billion relates to Exchequer capital investment and the balance of €25 billion is State-backed investment by commercial State Owned Enterprises and other State bodies.
This NDP adopts a new approach to public capital investment through the strict alignment which has been achieved with the objectives and priorities of the new spatial strategy set out in the new National Planning Framework (NPF). This represents a marked departure from the unconnected and uncoordinated approach between spatial strategy and public investment policy over the first half of the last decade which contributed to the development of some of the major challenges that the NDP and NPF are designed to address, including securing greater regional balance, supporting economic growth and development of rural communities and meeting climate change objectives.
The Deputy may wish to note some of the major reforms and innovations in terms of public capital investment introduced in the NDP including:-
- the adoption of a long-term (i.e. 10 year) strategic approach to public capital investment;
- a sustained increase in public investment to meet infrastructural needs;
- the establishment of four new Funds to target urban and rural renewal, climate action and ‘disruptive technologies’; and
- the establishment of a new National Regeneration and Development Agency to help to drive growth and renewal in towns and cities across the country.
Further details on all these aspects of the NDP can be found in the Plan itself.
The NDP includes many new projects which were not contained in the previous 2015 Capital Plan, for example the M20 Cork to Limerick road, the New Hospital for Cork, BusConnects Programmes for Cork, Dublin and Galway and a major investment programme across the cultural institutions.
It is also very important to note that the NDP provides a coherent long-term funding framework for the delivery of the projects and programmes named in the Plan, including those previously identified in other sectoral strategies and policies but, in respect of which, funding for their delivery was not previously identified. In the Public Investment Management Assessment carried out by the IMF, on my request, for Ireland last July, the IMF highlighted the existence of plans which were not joined up on a cross-sectoral basis or with the resources to implement as a weakness in Ireland's public management investment system. In the NDP, therefore, Government have made a commitment of specific resources to deliver identified investment priorities explicitly knitted into the NPF objectives.
