Results 81-100 of 9,898 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: A significant element of this relates to capital and that is corrected in the new capital ceilings we have established on a multi-annual basis. That is one significant element of it. That is why, in the budgetary engagement we are having, there are certain parts of government where the levels and rate of expenditure exceed the parameters that are set. That is why reform has to take place-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: I do. That is why, in the medium-term fiscal and structural plan, slowing the rate of expenditure growth and having it much closer aligned to what is set out on budget day is my objective, as Minister for public expenditure. I take that responsibility seriously.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: I am conscious of that ask. I have actually met with the union. That is part of the engagement we are having with the Minister for communications. We have not yet agreed any expenditure for next year, until that is agreed by the Government. However, I am conscious of the pressure faced by postmasters. That is a matter of consideration.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: Some of what relates to regional airports, particularly in connection to Shannon, relates to capital expenditure. Part of what the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will set out as part of his sectoral investment plan is how aviation and the regional airports programme interacts with that as part of the five-year strategy. The aviation division of the Department of Transport is conscious of what...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy. On that issue, similar to my last answer, we are engaging with the Department of education on the priorities as part of budget 2026. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, is conscious of concerns reflected in the school community around capitation. There is ongoing engagement on what will be possible. We have not made any decisions yet. I take note of the Deputy's request.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: On the Deputy's last point, if we look at capital investment in housing, it is the single biggest focus as part of the review of the national development plan. A total of €36 billion, nearly one in every three euro, is going to support social and affordable housing, and other areas in terms of water infrastructure. There is also investment in other areas of infrastructure, which will...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: We should standardise a lot more across Government, whether it is in education, health or transport. That would help to better anchor cost control and I would support that.

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Priorities and Provisions in the Review of the National Development Plan: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Chair and members of the committee for the invitation to discuss the issues relevant to my Department, particularly the delivery of the national development plan review 2025. As the Chair stated, I am joined by Ms Connors and Mr. Meaney from the Department. As members are aware, my Department operates at the centre of Government to try to deliver better public services, living...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Priorities and Provisions in the Review of the National Development Plan: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: It will be through November. Sectoral investment plans will be published through November. These will be sent to my Department. Obviously, they will then be agreed within Government and published publicly through the month of November.

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Priorities and Provisions in the Review of the National Development Plan: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: Correct. It will be sectoral by each Minister, for example, transport. One of the critiques of infrastructure in the economy currently is that we have not had sectoral investment plans that give a clear pipeline to the construction sector, domestically and internationally, about what Ireland is developing over the long term and having credibility about that pipeline. That is why we have...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Priorities and Provisions in the Review of the National Development Plan: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: Correct.

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Priorities and Provisions in the Review of the National Development Plan: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: It is a combination of the Exchequer element, which is in the national development plan, and other funding streams through the Department of Finance, the Housing Finance Agency and other elements that, again, provide further State subvention and support. Looking at the ratio of the State's involvement in housing, and the Minister, Deputy Browne's statement in recent days that 50% of what was...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Priorities and Provisions in the Review of the National Development Plan: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: There are a few issues. The internal processes within the State are in many instances excessive and are causing delays. There are issues within the planning system and there is also the ability of any objector to delay things indefinitely. Some of the reforms are contained in the Planning and Development Act, which was advanced. However, in the context of the work we are doing, we hope to...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Priorities and Provisions in the Review of the National Development Plan: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: If you look at the European indices of productivity in the construction sector, Ireland is below average. When you engage with the construction sector, part of that is there is not the same pipeline of work, or certainty into the medium or long term so they can invest in particular sectors and develop that specialist expertise. There are still a lot of contractors who are competitive and...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Priorities and Provisions in the Review of the National Development Plan: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: We are working with EirGrid on its wider investment plan. Part of that equity will be used by EirGrid. As a commercial State body, it will also borrow on the back of that equity injection. We are also working with it in the context of the wider plan. That is to plug the gap with some of the work happening on offshore renewable projects. We obviously have the grid capacity in the regions...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Priorities and Provisions in the Review of the National Development Plan: Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: All of us in the Oireachtas, regardless of party or politics, have a collective frustration about delivery. We have a particular interest, whether it is in housing or infrastructure. Ultimately it will affect everyone in Ireland if delivery does not quicken. If we do not accelerate, it will affect our growth and jobs for the future. It is in all of our interests, when the actions are...