Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 May 2024
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views and vision for the upgrading of basic infrastructure here in order to better cater for the increased population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20133/24]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case.
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). Additional capital expenditure of €250 million is being made available for 2024 from windfall exchequer receipts, with a further €2 billion being made available across 2025 (€750 million) and 2026 (€1.25 billion). This allocation is in addition to the committed €165 billion in capital investment through the National Development Plan (NDP), published in 2021.
Census 2022 recorded over 5.1 million people living in the State as of April 2022 which was an increase of 8 percent on April 2016. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently reviewing the National Planning Framework (NPF). The current timeline envisages publishing the draft revision and accompanying technical assessments for public consultation in June 2024. Following the public consultation, a review and consideration of submissions will take place in August which may see amendments to the draft revision. Subject to Government approval, the finalised document will be published in Q3 2024.
