Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While it is too early at this point to accurately forecast the full end of year outturn, I can advise that all current funding is expected to be expended in full and no capital savings beyond those which can be carried forward by deferred surrender into 2017 are envisaged at present.

Public financial procedures provide that a maximum of 10% of the capital envelope of a Vote may be carried over by way of deferred surrender to the following year for spending in that year on priority capital programmes. For my Department, this means that a maximum of just over €13.5 million in capital funds can be carried over into 2017, subject to the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

There have been delays in the drawdown of funding across a number of programme areas within my Department's Vote. These relate in the main to the rural and regional programme, which transferred to my Department in June last, and the arts programme in respect of certain once-off decade of centenaries projects.

With regard to the rural and regional programme, the main delay in drawdown is in regard to Leader. This is because the new Leader programme has only recently commenced.

In terms of the arts programme, there have been some delays in drawdown of funding regarding the permanent reminders component of the Ireland 2016 centenary programme. There were unavoidable delays in regard to the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street and the major redevelopment at the National Archives. While some progress has been made on these projects, the full expected drawdown of funds will not now occur this year.

All expenditure within my Department's Vote will continue to be carefully monitored between now and year-end to ensure the best use of all available financial resources.

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