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

There can be a number of factors behind a delay in a project. I highlighted to Deputy Durkan what in my experience are the two key reasons. I will make the general observation that there is always a demand for more projects to go ahead than there is funding available at any given time. All Ministers want to be in a position to spend more and to allow many more projects to go ahead that they and their communities want to see happen. Even with the huge increases in capital expenditure that we have, and that we have planned, at times there will always be more projects for which there is a good case for them to go ahead than there is money available for them. I make that general observation because I must be honest with the House and acknowledge that it is a key issue that Ministers continue to raise with me. That is why what I have tried to do is increase capital expenditure year by year so that we are able to get more done.

The two issues to which I referred in response to Deputy Durkan, namely, tendering and the impact of inflation, continue to be challenges. I hope at least the latter will be alleviated by the allocation of a further €2.25 billion for this year and the coming two years.

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