Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 201: To ask the Taoiseach the significant changes which have been implemented by his Department to date in 2005 in delivering the national spatial strategy; and the costs, benefits and savings that have accrued. [34074/05]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's role with regard to the national spatial strategy mainly relates to strategic, high-level co-ordination rather than implementation of individual policies or spending programmes. The national spatial strategy is overseen by the Cabinet committee on housing, infrastructure and PPPs, which I chair. The Cabinet committee is supported by a cross-departmental team, which is chaired by my Department.

My Department also works closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the implementation of the national spatial strategy, both through bilateral contacts and through the inter-departmental committee on the national spatial strategy. We also liaise with other offices and agencies, notably the Central Statistics Office and the National Economic and Social Development Office, in the context of monitoring and implementation of the national spatial strategy.

The importance of the national spatial strategy is reflected in the relevant departmental business plans and in the work programme of the Cabinet committee.