Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the OPW's appropriation accounts for 2019 which were released in September 2020. I assume the accounts for 2020 will not be available until September of this year. These accounts deal with the pre-pandemic period.

My attention was drawn to page 20 where section A deals with flood risk management. I note that in 2018 pay increased by 12%, non-pay costs increased by almost 20% and spending on the purchase of plant machinery increased by 36%. The notes state that was partly due to the purchase of additional plant equipment to aid the construction of flood relief schemes as well as technical equipment. The spending on flood risk management projects in 2019 declined, although it was projected the OPW would need to increase spending from €54.6 million to €73.1 million in 2019. However, spending fell to €58.2 million.

The note in the document states delays arose because of a number of major projects, which is not the fault of the OPW. Cost management is the responsibility of the OPW. From what I can make out from the accounts dealing with flood risk management, non-pay and plant and machinery costs have increased but the work is declining. Will the Minister of State comment on that?