Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposed spending envelopes approved and set out by his Department for the foreseeable future; the broad objectives to be achieved by spending of such financial envelopes; the timescale set out for achievement of targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25965/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Multi Annual Capital Investment Framework, announced by the Minister for Finance in the December 2003 Budget, provides for five-year multi-annual capital envelopes. The objectives of the multi-annual investment framework are to:

1. Meet Government priorities for capital investment in the sectors for which the Department is responsible, ensuring, where appropriate, that a proper balance is maintained between different areas of investment.

2. Enable the Department and its agencies to plan and manage the capital investment programme more efficiently and effectively.

3. Ensure that value for money is obtained for the capital investment envelope provided.

The following table sets out the total envelope available to my Department for capital investment over the period 2006-2010.

The level of current funding provided for my Department in the 2006 Revised Estimates Volume is €371.803M current funding over the 2007-2010 period will be set incrementally in the course of the annual estimates process.

The employment of these allocations will be focussed on underpinning business delivery in pursuit of my Department's overall mission to promote the sustainable development, management and regulation of the communications, energy, marine and natural resource sectors in support of national economic and social policy objectives. As a driver of sustainable economic growth across many diverse sectors, it is imperative that my Department continuously reviews the business environment and strategic context within which it operates. Priority will continue to be given to the best use of resources by my Department, focusing on outputs and outcomes, value for money, based on robust planning and evaluation.