Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
1040. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2019 to 2023; and the areas to which funds will be allocated in each of those years. [25566/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department will oversee significant capital investment amounting to €1.27 billion over period 2019 to 2022. Annual capital ceilings in respect of this four year period were published in the National Development Plan, and are set out in the table following. The 2023 capital ceiling for my Department will be agreed and published later this year as part of the Estimates process for Budget 2019.
|
Year |
Capital Ceiling |
|
2019 |
€256m |
|
2020 |
€297m |
|
2021 |
€317m |
|
2022 |
€400m |
Detailed programme allocations for each of the years 2019 to 2023 will be agreed as part of the annual Estimates process and published in the Revised Estimates Volume subsequent to each Budget Day. During the period, my Department and its agencies will play a lead role in the delivery of a number of the strategic investment priorities identified in the National Development Plan.
An ambitious programme of climate action measures, including energy-related investments by commercial State companies, will position Ireland on a sustainable trajectory to achieve a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society. A significant expansion of investment in energy efficiency upgrades, including deep retrofitting of housing, commercial and public building stock, will accelerate the contribution of the built environment to the collective effort to reduce CO2 emissions. Other key energy measures include the rollout of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and an expansion of the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme which are aimed at promoting the electrification of heat and transport, along with increased investment in energy research.
Delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the National Broadband Plan, which is currently in the final stages of procurement, will ensure that the opportunities presented by the digital transformation are available to every citizen, company and community in Ireland.
Investments will also be focused on supporting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy and protecting our environment, while ensuring the sustainable management of our natural resources.
