Written answers

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

National Development Plan

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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78. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for further review of the National Development Plan. [20043/21]

Photo of Alan DillonAlan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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86. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the review of the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19670/21]

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 86 together.

Significant progress has already been made in delivering a range of both large and small infrastructure projects across the country.

The review of the National Development Plan was brought forward in order to ensure alignment with the new Programme for Government. High quality public investment will play an important role in supporting the economic recovery from Covid-19 and addressing challenges in areas such as housing, Transport, health and climate change, as well as balanced regional development in line with the National Planning Framework (NPF).

Crucially, the review of the NDP will also be aligned with the work being progressed as part of the Climate Action Plan and the National Economic Recovery Plan.

The review commenced in October 2020 and considers five fundamental elements: what the appropriate level of public investment should be over the next ten years; what the share of the budget should be across Departments; ensuring alignment with the policy priorities of the Programme for Government; ensuring regional development through alignment of investment with the National Planning Framework; and finally, assessing whether the structures and rules for the management, governance and oversight of projects can be improved in order to deliver on the ambitions of the new NDP.

The Phase 1 report of the review was published on 4thApril 2021. The Phase 1 report draws together a range of technical preparatory work such as macro-economic analysis, infrastructure demand analysis, public capital expenditure analysis, and a National Planning Framework alignment analysis, as well as a summary of a review of Public Private Partnerships, and an independent review of public sector capacity to manage and deliver public infrastructure projects. Departmental submissions and the results of the public consultation were also summarised.

The material set out in the Phase 1 report provides an evidence base to inform Government decisions that will need to be made in phase 2 of the review which is now underway.

Currently, the National Investment Office in my Department is working on the revision of the National Development Plan and they are engaging with the Departments in relation to this.

Supporting work is also being carried out, including a Climate and Environmental Assessment of spending proposals and an analysis of job creation from NDP investment.

The aim is to finalise and publish the new NDP in July 2021.

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