Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of an application made by Waterford City and County Council for financial assistance to develop the north quays; if his attention has been drawn to the strategic importance of developing the north quays; when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2165/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As you may be aware, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently finalising the National Development Plan which will act as the cornerstone for the implementation of the new National Planning Framework detailed in the Ireland 2040 plan which sets out a new approach to spatial planning in Ireland.

I am confident in saying that these plans will demonstrate that this Government is strongly committed to increasing public funding for capital investment in appropriate regional investment across Ireland in order to meet key infrastructural requirements that will support local economic development.

I of course appreciate that the scheme you identify in relation to Waterford is an important project for the area and would note that it was included in the final draft of the NPF which was issued for public consultation in September 2017, with a closing date of 10^thNovember. 

It should be remembered however, that my Department is responsible for setting the overall allocations (both capital and current) across Departments and then for subsequently monitoring expenditure at Departmental level.  Decisions on specific projects such as physical infrastructure like roads or access improvements for the North Quays in Waterford are a matter in the first instance for the relevant Minister.