Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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162. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his Department's role in providing financial assistance to any other Department's Brexit unit; his consideration of the costs associated with each Department's Brexit unit when allocating each Department's annual budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11064/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Dealing with the potential impact of Brexit is a key Government priority and, as the Deputy will be aware, the Government has adopted a whole-of-Government approach to the challenges posed by Brexit, led by the Cabinet Committee on Brexit which the Taoiseach chairs and of which I am a member. These challenges require action both in the short-term and long-term which may have implications for Departmental expenditure allocations.

My Department is responsible for the annual Estimates process culminating in the approval by the Oireachtas of the allocation of resources to Departments consistent with Government priorities.  Where additional resources are required to fund costs relating to Brexit units that cannot be met by reprioritisation of expenditure within existing Departmental allocations, those demands will be considered in the context of the Estimates process.

It should be noted that the Estimates for 2017 saw resources allocated towards areas that may be significantly impacted by Brexit, in particular in our regional and rural communities.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will see an increase in its allocation of almost 9%, with, as outlined in the Expenditure Report 2017, funding for the Rural Development Programme set to rise to €601 million in 2017. The increased allocation to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine also allows for continued investment in Foodwise 2025 to aid the development of Ireland's agrifood sector.

Funding provided to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will help fund the Action Plan on Rural Development.

Based on the objective to grow the number of jobs supported by the enterprise agencies, additional resources have been provided for Enterprise Ireland and the IDA specifically to help enterprises to deal with the impact of Brexit.

In the longer term, a sustainable approach to delivering public services and investing in infrastructure requires ongoing critical examination of spending to maximise efficiency and effectiveness and to help ensure that resources are being targeted where they are most needed. This examination is being undertaken through a Spending Review now underway. The design of this year's Spending Review reflects the prevailing economic and fiscal context and challenges.

A review of the Capital Plan is also now underway and seeks to ensure that capital spending is strictly aligned with national economic and social priorities, consistent with the Programme for a Partnership Government objectives. This includes examining how available capital funds can best be allocated to underpin sustainable medium-term economic growth and future growth potential, in light of recent developments since the Plan was published, including Brexit. 

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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163. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs associated with his Department's Brexit unit; the number of staff allocated to that unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11065/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Brexit issues in my Department are coordinated centrally by the Department's EU/North South/Brexit Unit. The Unit oversees Brexit work across the Department and acts as the contact point with the Department of the Taoiseach and other Government Departments.  It is represented on the Inter-Departmental Group on Brexit and related groups, and supports me in my work as a member of the Cabinet Committee on Brexit.  Brexit issues are also addressed by staff in relevant areas across the Department.