Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 97: To ask the Minister for Finance the latest returns he has received in respect of progress in the expenditure profile and the profile in delivery of planned outputs from the various sub-programmes within the National Development Plan 2000 to 2006; and if he will publish a review of the performance of that plan. [10211/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Development Plan/Community Support Framework (NDP/ CSF) 2000-2006 is an integrated investment plan and strategy for economic and social development for Ireland. It involved significant investment in infrastructure — such as roads, public transport, water and waste services, health services, social housing, education, industry and rural development.

The NDP/CSF 2000-2006 is implemented through seven Operational Programmes. Performance indicators at programme and priority level are included in the Operational Programme documents and at measure (and sub-measure) level in the programme complement documents. Investment under the plan can continue until 2008 in accordance with EU Rules. The NDP/CSF Monitoring Committee set up by my Department to monitor progress in implementation of the Plan, examines physical and financial progress at programme and priority level with reference to these indicators. The Committee's most recent progress reports (December 2006) indicate that physical implementation is progressing well with some priorities exceeding their end programme targets already.

The data reported indicates that some €54 billion has been spent on the NDP/CSF 2000-2006 to the end December 2006. This represents 95% of original profile for the life of the Plan. The Exchequer & EU contribution to the plan for the same period amounts to almost €46 billion which represents 104% of original profiled Exchequer and EU expenditure for the lifetime of the Plan. The final Exchequer and EU expenditure is expected to cover a lower than expected take-up from the private sector. These figures also indicate that all demands for expenditure are being met.

The ESRI in its ex-ante assessment of investment priorities for NDP 2007-2013 concluded that "The current NDP has greatly enhanced the economic and social infrastructure of the State with major benefits to economic development throughout all regions". My Department has also recently published a progress review entitled NDP/CSF 2000-2006 — Review which highlights some of the key features of the investment under the Plan. This review is available on the NDP website www.ndp.ie.