Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to be in a position to continue to implement the national development plan in all of its aspects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2350/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister can continue to assist in the delivery of the national development plan, in particular by identifying the possible stoppages or barriers to the progression thereof.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To what extent will the Minister be able to reach out to the various major players who are in the course of delivering the NDP, or have a realistic contribution to make, with a view to identifying the problems they are facing? Is it possible for the Minister's Department to address the problems directly in such a way as to accelerate the rate of progress, which most commentators will readily say needs acceleration, particularly in view of the rapid increase in population?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I will shortly engage with the NDP national implementation board, particularly the outside representatives and experts on the board, to get their views on these issues. I have some initial views on those things we can do better on, and can improve on, to turn this higher level of expenditure into better output for our society. My first port of call will be to engage with the NDP management board to hear the views of different Government Departments and outside experts regarding what we can do differently and better. I aim to do this across the coming weeks. I am very much aware that if we want to turn the higher level of spending of the State for this year into even better outputs, the sooner we can make some changes the better.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. Can I further inquire whether, following the liaison with the various groups, he might be in a position to give instructions or to encourage an acceleration of the various aspects of the plan with a view to ensuring the targets are met within cost and on time?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I want to emphasise my view that the capital ceilings in place at the moment are very appropriate for this year. Changing the capital ceilings inside the budgetary year rarely leads to that money being spent in its entirety, and sometimes it can lead to other challenges regarding good value for the taxpayer. That being said, I aim to be in a position to give some guidance and instruction for how the delivery of our overall NDP can be implemented. I am aware of the frustration many people feel when we keep increasing spending that does not quite give the output everywhere that we want. I can see many good pieces of work under way, such as the school building programme with the Department of Education, the primary care centres and the new extension to the Mater Hospital in Eccles Street. I can see that kind of good work happening. I want to see how we can spread that practice more and more across the NDP.