Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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56. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of his officials that are gender, equality and carbon proofing budget 2018; the extent to which these examinations with relevant costings are taken into account before the finalisation of the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40176/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for proofing policy proposals as referenced in the Deputy's questions is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant individual spending Departments, as appropriate, in developing proposals for submission to my Department in connection with the Estimates process.  In advance of the finalisation of the Estimates for 2018, officials in my Department are currently assessing the expenditure and budgetary implications of a broad range of proposals submitted by Departments related to Government policy objectives such as, for example, advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights.

The Deputy may wish to note that in response to the commitment regarding Equality Budgeting included in the Programme for Government and in the context of preparation for Estimates 2018 substantial work has been undertaken by my Department, in consultation with key stakeholders in relation to the appropriate approach to gender budgeting.  This project is based on international best practice and linked to the performance budgeting initiative incorporated in the Revised Estimates Volume.

In terms of carbon proofing, ultimately, each Department is responsible for ensuring their spending programmes are consistent with whole-of-Government priorities such as environmental sustainability.  Consequently, my Department has requested that all submissions to the current review of the Capital Plan, from both Government Departments and the Public, examine all potential impacts - both positive and negative – of capital proposals in the context of meeting Ireland's existing and forthcoming Climate and Energy goals. My Department also made clear that proposals for additional capital spending should be aligned with the upcoming National Mitigation Plan and National Adaption Framework.

It is important to stress that there is a detailed governance framework already embedded in the allocation of capital resources through which significant investment decisions must be aligned with all government policies, including environmental policy. The review of the Capital Plan will, therefore, ensure that resources continue to be allocated and aligned to support sustainable growth, as required under the Government's current policy framework.