Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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67. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department’s new statement of strategy will support the implementation of the sustainable development goals; if specific goals and sub-targets have been identified as being particularly relevant to his Department's work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6218/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department published its Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 on 19 January 2021.  It is available on the gov.ie website at this link: 

The Strategy has been informed by my priorities and relevant commitments in the Programme for Government and the overall strategic context in which my Department operates.  

The Department’s Mission for 2021-2023 will be to serve the public interest through sound governance of public expenditure and by leading and enabling reform across the Civil and Public Service.  In support of this mission, it will pursue two strategic goals, as follows:

- To manage public expenditure at sustainable levels in a planned, balanced and evidence informed manner, in order to support Ireland’s economic, social and climate goals; and

- To drive reform and innovation across the Civil and Public Service to improve service delivery to the public, and to enhance strategic policy making and public governance structures.

These goals, and the actions underpinning them, have been set at a relatively high level and provide a robust framework to support the implementation of the Department's broad remit, including its role in respect of the Sustainable Development Goals.  Details of the specific actions to be undertaken by the Department in respect of the Sustainable Development Goals are set out in the Government’s National Implementation Plan, which is available on the gov.ie website, at this link:  

Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the policies and plans through which his Department will be working towards the achievement of the specific sustainable development goals targets that fall under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6223/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Group specifically leads on two specific sub-actions under Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 12. These sub-actions relate to the delivery of resilient and sustainable infrastructure, and promoting of sustainable public procurement practices respectively. The following sections provide an update on the latest guiding policies and work programmes that are being progressed to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Development Goals.  

Sub-action under SDG goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Update on building resilient and sustainable infrastructure

The current guiding policy is Project Ireland 2040, which consists of my Department’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 – 2027 and the National Planning Framework as led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The current NDP sets out total investment of approximately €116 billion across all sectors and this will allow Ireland to move close to the top of the international league table for public investment.

Climate Action and Sustainability were core to the design of both the NDP and the National Planning Framework. Both policies address 10 key National Strategic Objectives, with one of the strategic outcomes identified being “Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society”. As a result, €21.8 billion has been prioritised for investment in the low carbon transition, with a further €8.6 billion allocated for investment in sustainable public transport. Specific investments identified include flagship investment programmes such as supports for energy efficiency and retro-fitting, to the delivery of major new public transport projects such as MetroLink and BusConnects. In addition, the €500 million Climate Action Fund is also providing funding on a competitive basis for initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets or offer the potential for innovative interventions in these sectors. More generally the approach to sustainable compact growth that is set out in the National Planning Framework and the NDP will support a more balanced pattern of development across the country. This will put an end to the urban sprawl of the past and support greater sustainability and climate resilience.

As you may be aware, I have commenced a review of the NDP that is taking place currently. In line with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, this review will be focussed on how can Project Ireland 2040 be further supported to deliver on the policy priorities in the Programme for Government, particularly climate action. Also, the NDP Review will focus on balanced regional growth and alignment with Ireland's spatial strategy of NPF. Overall, timelines include a Phase 1 report to be published by the end of Q1 2021, which will form part of the evidence base for finalising the drafting of the revised NDP; and Phase 2, which will be a revised NDP setting ten year capital ceilings out to 2030 alongside five year rolling departmental capital ceilings and priorities would be published in Q2 2021.

Sub-action under SDG goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Update on the promotion of sustainable public procurement practices

Metrics are key to enable monitoring and verification of any measures introduced aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of public works projects.  In this regard the Office of Government Procurement is currently engaged with the International Construction Measurement Standard (ICMS) coalition in the development of an international reporting system for whole life carbon in the built environment.  The ICMS coalition anticipate that ICMS 3rd Edition, incorporating Life Cycle Analysis, will be available for public consultation by September 2021. 

In addition to the work on developing standard metrics, consideration is also being given to the following:

- The incorporation of Life Cycle Analysis into the design stage,

- The availability of open source Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) to industry,

- Development of award criteria for assessment of tenders incorporating Life Cycle Analysis,

- Development of guidance for the incorporation and evaluation of Life Cycle Analysis in public procurement.  

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) published an Information Note on Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement in late 2018. This note helps policy makers and practitioners understand how procurement can be used to facilitate the advancement of existing social policy objectives, including environmental sustainability, as well as the wider context and implications of including them in particular procurement projects. In conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the OGP has introduced reforms that require all Departments to consider including green criteria in public procurement processes. Circular 20/2019 also requires Departments to incorporate relevant green procurement measures into their planning and reporting cycles and highlights the possibilities for Departments to deliver wider social and environmental aims through public procurement. The OGP also assisted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in developing training in this area aimed at procurement practitioners and have contributed to the upcoming EPA Green Public Procurement Guidance. The OGP also established a cross Departmental Social Considerations Advisory Group in March 2019, now called the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, bringing together officials from policy Departments with procurement practitioners to share best practice and to facilitate the process of incorporating social and environmental considerations into public procurement.