Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I am responsible for the delivery of the national development plan, NDP, for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at departmental level. My Department is also responsible for maintaining the national frameworks within which Departments operate to ensure appropriate accounting for, and value for money in, public expenditure. Because of its vital importance for our country, "NDP delivery” is to be added to my Department’s title and mandate. My Department is currently examining the support structures and levers available across government in order to maximise delivery of vital infrastructure such as housing, schools, hospitals, roads and public transport.

As Deputy Durkan will be aware, we have made massive increases in public expenditure on capital projects in recent years. In 2023 it now stands at more than €12 billion, both from the Exchequer and from our semi-State sector. I want to look at the additional steps we need to translate that higher level of expenditure into real output for our society, which needs investment so badly. I am looking at how the change in the name of my Department can be turned into a changed mandate. I will be working on this. I am very interested in feedback from Oireachtas Members like Deputy Durkan with regard to those areas that need further change, and how we can have the right processes in place to ensure a higher level of Government expenditure leads into more housing, more skills and better public infrastructure.

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