Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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136. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to renew the current national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1721/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments. Management and delivery of individual investment projects within the allocations agreed under the NDP is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister.

The National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 (NDP) published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland over the next 10 years, and delivers total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. The NDP also set out the range of actions that are being taken to strengthen delivery, maximise value for money, and ensure to the greatest extent possible that projects are delivered on time, on budget and with the benefits targeted at the outset. In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure.

In order to improve delivery efficiency, the Construction Sector Group (CSG), which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, has a number of initiatives currently underway to increase productivity in the sector. These include the recently established Construction Technology Centre, known as Construct Innovate, to accelerate research and innovation within the sector; the Build Digital Project funded by my Department to support the sector in its transition to digital; the adoption of Building Information Modelling; and an analysis of the cost of residential construction.

In conjunction with the CSG, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is conducting a Residential Construction Cost Study. This is an analysis and value engineering exercise for costs of construction of house and apartment development, informed by cost comparisons with comparable EU countries. The study is also identifying opportunities for cost reduction for consideration by relevant Government departments and industry. The study is expected to be completed in Q1 2023.

In relation to the changed name for my Department, I am currently examining the support structures and levers available across Government in order to maximise delivery of vital infrastructure such as housing, schools, hospitals, roads and public transport. All options to improve delivery and ensure that capital allocations are best utilised will be examined early in 2023.