Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I do not agree that large chunks of the allocation are not being used every year. The capital programme of the Department has expanded significantly in recent years and the full allocation has been expended. The carryover, a relatively small sum, usually arises because the Department is waiting for invoices to be submitted before it can pay bills. This occurs when projects are nearing completion and some of the organisations drawing down the money may not be in a position to finalise their business in time. This is the reason for the small annual carryover. My detailed reply listed capital allocations in all subheads, both large and small.

Some of the programmes to which the Deputy alluded and in which issues have arisen are handled by the Office of Public Works. While the Department and OPW work together to organise the capital programme, funding for some projects comes from the latter's budget.

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