Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 October 2018
115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects the various targets in Project Ireland 2040 to be achieved on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44586/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI should first explain that the overall objective of Project Ireland 2040 is to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the development and implementation of policy regarding spatial planning, climate action and infrastructure investment and delivery. Project Ireland 2040 is the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of our country. It includes the National Planning Framework (NPF), backed up by a €116 billion capital investment plan for the period from 2018 to 2027 as set out in the National Development Plan (NDP).
Clearly, all of the targets and budgets set out in Project Ireland 2040 are included because they are expected to be achievable. That said, I also expect that challenges will emerge in the course of implementation.
For that reason, the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 is being overseen by the Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board, which is jointly chaired by the Secretaries General of my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and is being supported by an Infrastructure Projects and Programmes Office established within my Department. The Delivery Board consists of the Secretaries General of the main capital spending Departments, and will report to Government through the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure.
The Delivery Board will monitor and oversee the implementation of structures and performance targets across the various sectors to ensure a co-ordinated and collaborative whole-of-Government approach to the successful delivery of the NDP and NPF. In addition, a Construction Sector Group has also been established, to ensure regular and open dialogue between Government and the construction sector in relation to significant issues relating to the successful delivery of the NDP on a value-for-money basis for the Exchequer.
The leadership provided by the Delivery Board will ensure that implementation challenges are addressed, and Project Ireland 2040 secures the transformational benefits expected.
