Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress of the consultation process promised in advance of the introduction of a new National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24960/06]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Finance the criteria for selection for projects to be included in the National Development Plan as part of his strategy statement on the new programme; and if he will request that the rating for each subsequent project selected for inclusion will be simultaneously published under these criteria. [24920/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for the ring fencing of funding under the next National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24638/06]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether the next National Development Plan should be funded within existing capital envelopes; and the flexibility which exists to relax the envelope. [24884/06]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Finance when he expects the ESRI's evaluation of investment priorities for the forthcoming National Development Plan to be made public. [24805/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for funding under the next National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24639/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 42, 54, 83, 94 and 111 together.

As I indicated when I addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service on June 14th last on the issue of the new NDP, the next Plan will be a high level strategic document setting out at Programme level Government investment priorities over the period to 2013. These priorities will be informed by the need to tackle infrastructure deficits, promote regional development and social inclusion and generally invest for competitiveness.

As I stated in my address to the Committee, the 7 year financial allocations set out in the Plan will be at national level, indicative in nature and subject to the overriding requirement of resource availability. Given that the allocations encompass 7 years, it would be unrealistic to suggest that they can be set in stone. I can, however, assure the House that the level of commitment will be ambitious and the Government will be determined to see it delivered. The indicative nature of the allocations will allow sufficient flexibility to adapt appropriately to changing circumstances over the next seven years with particular regard to economic and budgetary sustainability.

A wide consultation process on the Plan has been undertaken by my Department. Submissions were invited from a wide range of organisations and social partners and regional bodies. To date, submissions received include ones from IBEC, ICTU, the CIF, Chambers Ireland, the Irish Exporters Association, the Irish Tourism Confederation, the IFA, Comhar, the Heritage Council, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Western Development Commission, the two Regional Assemblies and all the Regional Authorities. In addition, I invited the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service to make a submission on the Plan and, as already stated, I appeared before the Committee in this regard on 14th June last. My Department has also been having follow-up meetings with many of the organisations who have made submissions and this process is continuing.

The Economic and Social Research Institute were engaged last November, following a competitive tendering process, to carry out an ex-ante evaluation of investment priorities for the next NDP. I understand that the evaluation is nearing completion. When finished, the evaluation will be submitted to Government.

As the Plan will be a high level strategic investment framework, it will not be a list of projects. The projects will flow over the period of the Plan consistent with the investment strategy outlined in the Plan. I would stress, however, that the achievement of Value for Money at project level will be central to NDP investment, especially capital investment. This will require rigorous appraisal and best practice management of all capital projects by implementing Agencies and Departments. My Department's February 2005 Capital Appraisal Guidelines and the enhanced VFM measures which I announced in October last will be fully applied by Departments and implementing agencies in the process of project selection.