Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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12. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total capital allocation to her Department in 2021, broken down by sub-head; the amount spent to date; if she expects this funding will be totally expended in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49842/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The revised estimate for my Department for 2021 provides for a gross allocation of €351 million, with a gross capital allocation of €168.6 million. In addition, €13.18 million of unspent capital funding has been carried forward from 2020 giving a total capital allocation of €181.8 million for 2021.

As of 11^thOctober 2021 the total capital spend amounted to €69 million. I am providing the Deputy with a breakdown of the allocations and spend with my reply.

The public health restrictions that were imposed earlier in the year across all sectors of society, including the construction industry, have meant unavoidable delays to capital project delivery.

Given these challenges, capital expenditure has been kept under constant review during the year so that the resources provided are put to best use. In this regard, funding of €10.5m was reallocated to the Local Improvement Scheme in July to double the amount funding for the scheme in 2021. This funding will be fully utilised by the Local Authorities by the end of the year.

My officials are working closely with local authorities to maximise spend across our capital schemes, and drawdown will ramp up over the coming weeks. I also expect to avail of a deferred surrender so that projects which are delayed can be funded next year. I will continue to monitor spend closely, and will ensure that our resources are put to best use for rural areas and communities.

Table 1: 2021 REV Capital Allocation and expenditure as at 11^thOctober 2021