Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

53. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under national strategic outcome No. 3 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30878/23]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has committed €165 billion funding for capital investment, as set out in the NDP published in October 2021. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF).

The NDP contains expenditure commitments for NSO 3 which relates to strengthening rural economies and communities. 2022 saw clear progress against this goal including through a number of initiatives such as: the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which provided funding of €21.5 million to 27 projects in early 2022 including the Fermoy Town Centre Renewal project, the Edenderry Regeneration project, the Monksland project in Roscommon, and the Dungarvan Digital Transformation Hub project. In November 2022, a further €115 million was approved for applicants in locations such as Ballyjamesduff, Macroom, Ramelton, Carrick-on-Suir and Athy.

In addition to this, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme provided funding for medium and small scale projects that aim to make our rural towns and villages more attractive and sustainable. Over €22 million was allocated in 2022 to over 75 Town and Village projects.

Furthermore, funding of over €19.8 million was approved for 259 projects in the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for the development, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of outdoor recreational infrastructure in countryside areas.

Fáilte Ireland and Coillte continued to partner on progressing the International Mountain Biking Proposition for Rural Ireland with an additional 25km of new trails added in 2022 bringing the total amount of new trails developed to 64km and a total trail network of 185km.

Work on 36 Destination and Experience Development Plans continued all tailored to support the sustainable development of tourism in Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, and Dublin with almost €6 million awarded to 12 towns.

Furthermore, I welcome the positive progress being made under the National Broadband Plan. Under the National Broadband Plan (NBP), I note that, as of 26 May 2023, design work is completed in townlands across every county in Ireland. Over 154,800 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection from National Broadband Ireland, with over 140,000 premises passed and available for immediate connection.

I am aware that very significant progress and effort is being made by local authorities over the last number of years to strengthen and build resilience in rural towns and communities and deliver on the objectives of Project Ireland 2040.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments. Over the lifetime of the National Development Plan from 2021 to 2030, the Government is investing €165 billion in new and upgraded infrastructure that will meet the needs of our growing population.

This year alone over €12 billion will be invested from the Exchequer in vital infrastructure projects. The NDP includes agreed Exchequer allocations for each Department for a five year period (2021 to 2025) and the overall capital expenditure ceilings out to 2030. The capital expenditure ceilings take account of the overall capability of the construction sector to deliver on the NDP, and represents a solid pipeline that will have a transformative impact on employment opportunities, economic development and regional growth.

However, no one is in any doubt that the need to ensure timely project delivery is a part of the Government’s focus to respond effectively to the pressing challenges of our time, particularly in areas like housing, health and climate. The renaming of my Department as the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR), to specifically include NDP Delivery, has brought about a greater emphasis and mandate for the delivery of the NDP. In light of this new role, a review of the support structures and levers available across Government to maximise delivery of projects was undertaken. As a result, a series of actions and reforms were identified as priorities to improve delivery of NDP projects, including reducing the administrative burden on Departments charged with infrastructure delivery. Earlier this year, I secured Government approval for six priority actions which are:

• Significant changes to reduce the administrative burden in delivering major capital projects, through measures to streamline the Public Spending Code (to become the Infrastructure Guidelines);
• I am now taking a direct role in overseeing delivery of the NDP through chairing the Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board;
• Capacity reviews of departments and agencies with significant delivery programmes to be carried out, where appropriate, to ensure that adequate resources for project delivery are in place;
• Additional reforms to the Capital Works Management Framework, which sets out the contracts used for public capital projects;
• Direct reporting to Government on NDP delivery on a quarterly basis throughout 2023 and 2024 and
• An independent review of NDP priorities and capacity.