Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:86. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the capital allocation across his Department in each of the years from 2018 to 2022. [20451/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 9 May 2018
Ceisteanna (86, 87, 88)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:87. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's capital allocation for projects under way and projects tendered or committed to spending contractually. [20468/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJonathan O'Brien
Ceist:88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2018 to 2022 disaggregated according to capital allocated to projects under way, projects contractually committed to and projects yet to be initiated. [20485/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 to 88, inclusive, together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a capital allocation in the 2018 Revised Estimates of €13 million across its two Votes (Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade).
Under the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027, the Department will have capital allocations, across its two Votes, as follows:
2019 - €17 million
2020 - €13 million
2021 - €13 million
2022 - €14 million
The Department’s priorities for 2018 include the ongoing implementation of the passport reform programme, as its online services are further expanded beyond the online adult passport renewal service launched last year; continued investment in the State’s global property network including the commencement of the development of a new Embassy/Ireland House facility in Tokyo; other Embassy projects, ongoing maintenance, security improvements, health and safety improvements, etc.; and the maintenance and enhancement of the Department’s ICT global communications network and new ICT system enhancements.
At this stage, the Department is not yet in a position to provide information by particular project for each of the years 2019-2022, but, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, the Department’s Strategic Capital Investment Priorities for the period 2018-2022 will be as follows:
Further announcements as part of the Doubling Our Global Footprint Initiative;
The Passport Reform Programme;
Investment in ICT infrastructure, and
Investment in the State’s Global Property Portfolio, including the development of Ireland Houses with the State Agencies and the relevant Embassy in strategic locations.
Decisions on future allocations by project will be consistent with value for money principles, will provide clear benefits for the State and will depend on a range of factors, including staff, office and accommodation needs.