Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Finance the details and number of projects before the National Development Finance Agency; the estimated value of each project; when each of these projects was first submitted to the agency; the average period it takes for each project to be assessed; the number, details and estimated value of all projects assessed to date by the National Development Finance Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12799/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, was established on 1 January 2003. The role of the NDFA is to advise Departments on the optimum means of financing the cost of capital projects in order to achieve value for money, whether procured through a PPP approach or through traditional procurement. In the case of PPP projects, it also involves advising State authorities on all aspects of financing, refinancing and insurance of such projects. The NDFA does not have a project approval role.

Under my Department's guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure proposals in the public sector, and under PPP guidelines and circulars, the sponsoring agency is required to seek the advice of the NDFA on all projects above €20 million. The sponsoring agency is also required to seek the advice of the NDFA at the preliminary appraisal stage and in any event no later than before tender documents are finalised. The NDFA role at various stages of projects is carried out as the sponsoring agency continues with its appraisal, planning and procurement of the projects. The level of involvement of the NDFA and the timing and duration thereof vary across projects depending on whether they existed prior to the establishment of the NDFA or whether they are new projects and also on whether, following preliminary appraisal, the PPP option is being explored and developed. As a result, the NDFA's involvement in procurement can range from six months for arranging the loan finance element of a simple project to a number of years for large complex projects. In that context, it is not possible to speak of an average duration of assessment.

The nature and complexity of the project are determining factors in ascertaining the time required to complete it. In addition to project-specific issues, there are a number of external factors, such as archaeology or planning issues or legal challenges, which can influence progress.

I am advised that some 80 projects are currently referred to the NDFA for advice at varying stages of the appraisal and procurement process. Some of these have yet to be deemed "live" as they are pipeline projects or still undergoing assessment or have been delayed as a result of some external factors, and accordingly are not listed in the attached tables. These external factors include delays because of archaeology and legal challenges. I understand the NDFA is awaiting formal instruction from the relevant sponsoring Departments on a number of projects.

I am advised by the NDFA that table 1 represents the current projects, as at 20 April 2005, on which ongoing advice is being provided by the agency. I understand that many of the projects listed are legacy projects and were referred to the NDFA for review and advice at a later stage of the planning and procurement process. The table identifies the type of project and the date the project was referred to the NDFA. For convenience, the projects are grouped under their relevant Department categories.

Table 2 lists the 11 projects on which NDFA advice was provided, and on which the projects have reached financial-contract close. In this regard, one tourism project for Clare County Council on which the NDFA has issued an opinion is expected to reach financial close shortly. Further details, including the value or cost of the various projects, are a matter for the relevant State authorities responsible for procuring the projects.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of National Development Finance Agency employees employed by the agency and involved in the assessment of capital projects submitted to the agency; their individual areas of specialist expertise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12800/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The functions of the National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, which was established on 1 January 2003, are performed through the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, under section 11(1) of the National Development Finance Agency Act 2002. In common with the other functions performed through the NTMA, the NDFA is staffed by persons who are employees of the NTMA.

The NTMA currently allocates seven employees dedicated exclusively and full-time to the work of the NDFA. These employees have experience and expertise in a number of disciplines including project finance, law, accountancy, economics, corporate finance and risk management. I am advised that, in addition to the full-time employees allocated to the NDFA, other NTMA staff and facilities are used, as is required, from other parts of the NTMA, including its IT, security, legal, financial control, as specialists in real estate, the equity markets and the NTMA's funding and debt management unit.