Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital expenditure to date in 2018 by subhead of his Department compared to the allocation in the Estimate; if he is satisfied that all allocated capital will be spent by the end of 2018; if he has applied to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for permission to carry over capital money to 2019; if so, the amount requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51846/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Revised Estimates for 2018 in respect of the Department of Rural and Community Development sets out gross capital expenditure of €87.5 million. This is supplemented by €7.7 million capital which was carried forward from 2017.

As of the 7th December, €73.7 million of my Department's capital allocation has been spent; there remains €21.5 million in capital expenditure to be spent before the end of the year. This expenditure is detailed by programme in the table provided below.

Close monitoring of expenditure is a matter of significant priority for my Department so as to ensure full use of our allocated resources, and that value for money is delivered in respect of our funding.

I have already identified areas where some capital programmes are unlikely to spend their full allocation this year. For example, whilst LEADER activity is ramping up and a healthy pipeline of projects have been approved, the programme will not require its full allocation this year.

I have been proactive in reallocating resources where possible. For example, I have already expanded the Community Enhancement Programme this year, increased investment in Libraries, and provided additional support to fund the Local Improvement Schemes. I have also supported the development of Coillte trails, Tidy Towns, Agricultural Shows and Men's Sheds Organisations.

The progress being made with regard to payments is clear. Almost €35 million in capital expenditure was paid out over October and November.

I can confirm that I anticipate full use of capital moneys, and have therefore not applied to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to carryover capital money to 2019. I will continue to closely monitor expenditure over the final weeks of this year to ensure that our resources are fully used, delivering for all communities and for rural Ireland

Capital Expenditure to date

1. Capital Expenditure to date