Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he expects the objectives of Project Ireland 2040 to be sufficiently funded and in line with projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10201/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that the alleged cost overrun in respect of the national children’s hospital will not materially affect the delivery of other projects over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10202/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.

The Government has already resolved to allocate funding in line with the objectives of Project Ireland 2040, and the National Development Plan 2018-2027 sets out the resource envelope to that end.

In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at a Departmental level. Responsibility for delivery of individual projects within allocation rests with the relevant sponsoring Department or Agency.

I can confirm that the Government is making very significant investments under the NDP. Budget 2019 included a €1.4 billion (24%) increase in public capital expenditure this year. Public investment this year will reach 3.5% of national income (GNI*) compared to an EU average in recent years of 2.7% (GDP).