Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The programme for Government significantly expanded my Department’s work on infrastructure and included the establishment of a new infrastructure division. The division's specific responsibilities and deliverables are being progressed as part of the Department's forthcoming statement of strategy, which will go to Government in advance of the summer.

To be of assistance to the Deputy, the key Government commitments that the infrastructure division will be responsible for delivering in the short term are: an early review of the national development plan by July; expanding the Department’s infrastructure expertise to assist delivery through the redeployment of sectoral experts to the Department; the establishment and provision of support to the newly established accelerating infrastructure task force; and preparing a report to Government to identify the barriers to delivery and subsequent actions in order to accelerate the completion of infrastructure across our economy. This report will be prepared on the basis of broad stakeholder engagement, public engagement and a review of international best practice in order to construct a detailed evidential assessment for subsequent action.

This infrastructure delivery work is in addition to the infrastructure division’s ongoing work across its national investment office functions, construction procurement and overseeing certain departmental Votes. The establishment of the division has seen a significant increase in its constituent units' staffing levels. It is led by a deputy Secretary General and comprises an assistant secretary and five units, each of which is led by a principal officer.

On the current breakdown of grades, including vacancies up to an including principal officer, there are five principal officers, 20 assistant principal officers, 18 administrative officers, four higher executive officers, two executive officers and six clerical officers. In addition, five individuals with key sectoral expertise in the delivery of strategic infrastructure and the planning process have been deployed to support the work of division from EirGrid, ESB Networks, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Uisce Éireann and An Bord Pleanála. Staff from the Department's communications unit are being made available to support the public engagement of the division in delivering its key outputs. This brings the current total headcount for the infrastructure division to 62.

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