Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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682. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to remove cost benefit criteria for applications for funding for minor or major capital works projects in Gort (details supplied). [20682/17]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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There are no plans to remove cost benefit criteria from the assessment of capital works funding proposals. In relation to applications for funding for minor capital works a review of the Office of Public Works Minor Works Scheme is currently under way with a view to examining the criteria for consideration within the Scheme, including for example the various thresholds for the assessment of benefit and the financial limits for applications under the Scheme. The review, which includes consultations with Local Authorities, is examining any potential improvements, administrative or financial, which will facilitate applications under the scheme. The review will be completed in the shortest possible timeframe.

Any major capital works involving public expenditure of a significant nature requires robust cost benefit analysis in order to comply with the Public Spending Code.