Written answers

Tuesday, 16 October 2007

Department of Finance

National Development Plan

10:00 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 174: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the profile of actual expenditure and expenditure versus profile in the Border Midlands Western region in the national development plan up to 31 December 2006. [23442/07]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 175: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of extra expenditure spent in the Border Midlands Western region up to 31 December 2006. [23443/07]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 176: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the profile of actual expenditure and expenditure versus profile in the southern and eastern regions in the national development plan up to 31 December 2006. [23444/07]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 177: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amounts of extra expenditure spent in the southern and eastern regions up to 31 December 2006. [23445/07]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 to 177, inclusive, together.

The National Development Plan/Community Support Framework (NDP/CSF) 2000-2006 has made a major contribution to our economic growth and employment levels and has significantly enhanced Ireland's competitiveness. The benefits of projects and programmes in areas including child care, housing, rural development, training and business innovation have been experienced nationwide and the completion of many of these programmes has both improved our social infrastructure and encouraged regional development.

The ESRI (Oct 2006) in its ex-ante assessment of investment priorities for the NDP 2007-2013 concluded that "The NDP/CSF 2000-2006 has greatly enhanced the economic and social infrastructure of the State with major benefits to economic development throughout all regions".

The most recent information available to my Department, following the June NDP/CSF Monitoring Committee, regarding expenditure under NDP/CSF 2000-2006 indicates that over €54.5 billion has been invested nationally to the end of December 2006, with expenditure of €15.1 billion in the BMW region and expenditure of €39.4 billion in the S&E region. In terms of Exchequer and EU funding under NDP/CSF 2000-2006 nearly €47 billion was spent nationally to the end of December 2006, with expenditure of over €13 billion spent in the BMW region and expenditure of over €33.6 billion spent in S&E region.

The original forecast under the NDP/CSF 2000-2006 is for €57 billion to be invested nationally with €18 billion allocated to the BMW region and nearly €39 billion allocated to the S&E region. The original forecast under the NDP/CSF 2000-2006 for Exchequer and EU funding is for €44.6 billion to be invested nationally, with €14.6 billion to be invested in the BMW region and over €30 billion to be invested in the S&E region.

The Exchequer and EU expenditure nationally is ahead of the original forecast which indicates that all demands for expenditure are being met by the Exchequer. However there is some over-performance and under-performance of expenditure taking place within and between the programmes. The main difficulties are a large demand led component that did not materialise and a lower than expected private sector involvement rather than a lack of Exchequer resources. The principal reasons are well known at this stage and reflect a slower rate of expenditure as a result of the impact of the slowdown in economic activity in 2000-02 — the early years of the Programmes — and the outbreak of foot and mouth disease which meant that businesses and the agriculture sector were not in a position to put forward sufficient, suitable investment plans in those early years to avail of funding and a lower drawdown of funding for Research and Development projects.

It is important to point out that national development planning is an ongoing process and the €184 billion National Development Plan 2007-2013 will continue the investment required to maintain and enhance national competitiveness while at the same time providing a better quality of life for all our citizens.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.