Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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91. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the precise official rules governing spending on large State capital projects as they apply to the proposed new national maternity hospital; if he will report on compliance to date in this regard with respect to the proposed new national maternity hospital; the reported request of the Minister for Health regarding the circumvention of these rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35255/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, all major capital project over €100 million are required to undergo the full appraisal steps as set out in the Public Spending Code for Public Capital Investment. For projects estimated to cost over €100 million, the Government is the Approving Authority at each of the key decision gates in the project life cycle, including approval-in-principle at preliminary business case stage, approval to proceed to tender stage and approval to award contracts at final business case stage. The Public Spending Code for the development of public investment projects is available at this link: assets.gov.ie/99068/c14c842b-2afc-41d6-8429-045548548ecc.pdf

In addition, my Department conducts technical reviews at an early strategic assessment report stage, at preliminary business case stage and at final business case stage. These technical reviews will be carried out to ensure the full options appraisal, economic and financial appraisal, governance and risks of the project are appropriately assessed as part of the development of projects.

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, and I have shared correspondence in recent months regarding the development of the new maternity hospital business case. This was in relation to the appropriate stage in the Public Spending Code at which this case could be introduced for consideration by my Department for technical review and for decision by Government. In that context, I clarified the requirements within the Public Spending Code for each of the decision gates and that it would be expected that any business case submitted to my Department for review would comply with these requirements. It is my understanding that the business case is currently being developed, as appropriate, within the Health system and it is the responsibility of the Department of Health to bring the business case forward for consideration in due course.