Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The capital budget for my Department for 2021 is more than €2.5 billion. My Department reports monthly to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on expenditure versus budget profile. In addition, I am also providing a quarterly report to the Government in respect of progress on the investment of capital.

Regarding the capital position at the end of quarter 1, expenditure in aviation was broadly on profile and expenditure in the maritime sector was slightly behind profile for the year to date. Regarding the land transport programme, some slight delays were experienced in respect of expenditure on local and regional roads, public transport asset purchases, station construction and new public transport infrastructure. Some of these were due to Covid restrictions and it is expected that expenditure will return to profile as the year progresses. Now that Covid-19 restrictions are being eased, I expect a clearer picture to emerge of progress on investment for 2021. In the event that any underspend emerges in a particular area or subhead, I will consider whether any such funding can be utilised by another subhead within my Department's budget. The possibility of seeking capital carry-over will also be examined.

We are already starting to reallocate some of the underspend. Deputy Ó Cuív will have seen in Galway and other cities and towns across the country new pedestrianised spaces and spaces for safe dining and sitting. As an example of responding to immediate needs and shifting budgetary priorities, we provided €15 million in emergency funding to local authorities to help set up such spaces for the outdoor summer. We also provided an additional €5 million to local authorities in respect of waste management, although that was from a different line. We have been trying to reallocate money to respond to the immediate necessities of Covid, and that is a good example of the useful use of those resources.

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