Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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73. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the monitoring process in place for the implementation of the capital investment programme; if there is an accountability mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40744/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am satisfied that appropriate processes are in place for monitoring implementation of the Government's capital investment plans consistent with the accountability framework in place relating to public expenditure. 

While my Department is responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments, the management and delivery of individual capital investments within the overall Capital Investment Programme, and the timescales over which they are to be delivered, is the responsibility of each relevant individual Minister and Department.

My Department continually monitors all voted expenditure (including capital expenditure) throughout the year to compare drawdown of funds from the Exchequer against published expenditure profiles. There is regular communication with all Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within agreed allocations. I report a monthly analysis of spending trends to Government, and we publish information each month as part of the Exchequer Statement. 

Of course, as is normal in a programme of this length, there will be a Mid-Term Review of the Programme, which will take stock of progress to date and provide the Government with an opportunity to reaffirm priority projects. This Review will also provide the Government with an opportunity to consider the scope for increased levels of investment, should Ireland's economic growth and fiscal progress exceed the present forecasts and make this possible.

The Deputy may wish to note that consistent with the Programme for Government commitment and arising from the Report of the Independent Panel on Civil Service Accountability established by me and chaired by Professor Kevin Rafter of Dublin City University a number of significant measures are currently being implemented to strengthen civil service accountability under the Civil Service Renewal Plan.  These measures include:-

- the establishment of a Civil Service Accountability Board and the Civil Service Management Board;

- the introduction of a Performance Management system for Secretaries-General and the implementation of a new model for performance management for the Assistant Secretary Grade;

- putting in place strengthened corporate governance arrangements for Government Departments under a new Corporate Governance Standard agreed by Government earlier this week; and

- publishing a Framework of Assignments for all senior civil servants under the Public Service Management Act.

All of these measures are expected to further strengthen the legal structures, administrative arrangements, audit processes and reporting mechanisms already in place to secure greater accountablity for expenditure of public funds.