Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies for raising a host of projects with me directly on the floor of the House. Many of those projects have been brought to my attention over the course of the review of the NDP and colleagues have been in touch with the relevant line Ministers as well, as have I in respect of a number of the projects. I will do so again, particularly in regard to any that have been raised for the first time this morning.

I might make a few broad points. The content of the NDP is not exhaustive. It is not a list of every project that each line Department intends to deliver over the next ten years. Nevertheless, I fully understand the desire to have specific projects called out and included in the plan.

There is a need to improve delivery and address capacity constraints, given that we are seeing significant underspends in the system on the capital side. I do not want there to be underspends because we are allocating the money for a reason. We want the projects to be delivered and completed. I assure the Deputies that balanced regional development is a core objective of the review of the NDP and we will provide a record level of public resources for what will be the largest and most ambitious public capital investment programme in the history of the State.

We are going to provide a record amount of public resources for what will be the largest and most ambitious public capital investment programme in the history of the State.

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