Jack Chambers
Dublin West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“We have been clear about the absolute necessity to protect the huge ecosystem of digital and infrastructure investment in Ireland over the past ten to 20 years. Part of that has been the wider and ongoing discussion on the security of subsea cables.”
“Progress in achieving balanced regional development and detailing the delivery of the NDP is monitored through regular updates on the capital investment tracker and the MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer.”
“The tax strategy group examines the different options that are available to the Government during the summer. That informs the respective tax package that will advance. We have to honest about the measures we take in terms of taxation. They have to be sustainable and affordable in the long term. USC brings in about €5.5 billion per year.”
“I am not privy to the interaction the Deputy had with the Minister for housing on this, but the Local Government Fund distributes the respective funding across different local authorities, and Galway County Council and Galway City Council would receive allocations through that. I was clear in my initial response to Deputy O'Hara.”
“My Department has taken a proactive and co-ordinated approach to supporting the responsible and effective adoption of AI across the public service.”
“More broadly, the achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040, which includes the national planning framework, which sets out the wider spatial strategy for the next 20 years, along with the national development plan, NDP.”
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“I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. As he is aware, in the recently agreed programme for Government, we agreed to update the ethics in public office legislation. This is on foot of a wide-ranging review of the legislative framework for ethics in public life that my Department undertook during the lifetime of the previous Government. The report relating to that review was published in February 2023. The report's recommendations include that the legislative framework for ethics should be underpinned by a set of overarching integrity principles, that disclosure requirements should be strengthened to improve transparency and that consideration should be given to whether the regime should encompass more office holders. The report also recommends a strengthening of the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO.”
“We know about the deficit in water infrastructure. Supporting the capital plan Irish Water has will be fundamental to unlocking the overall housing supply we require. In addition, there are the many of the other capital projects the Deputy referenced around refuges and other areas of priority. That is why we are reviewing the NDP. We are also looking at the delivery systems that underpin capital investment. These need to be strengthened and streamlined in order that we can accelerate delivery from concept to completion.”
“We have a lot of constraints and barriers when it comes to housing supply which we need to unblock and which are undermining our ability to deliver the overall level of supply required to help people in the communities we all represent.”
“I reject the Deputy's assertions in respect of that matter. What she outlined relates to CSO and Central Bank data that was already in the public domain and that as debated in the Dáil on the day it was published by her colleague Deputy Doherty and the then Minister for housing, Deputy O'Brien. There were lots of projections across the public domain, and the Government obviously said it was disappointed with the final outturn relating to housing completions. That is why, in the context of the NDP review, we have set out that housing will be a central priority. We are particularly focusing on transport, energy, water and housing to unlock further supply in our economy. These are central to what we have set. As stated, the information the Deputy referenced was not new.”
“The review of the NDP will encompass all public capital investment, as I have mentioned, and will utilise State funds to support increased capital investment levels. The northern and western region has already seen significant delivery of infrastructure under the NDP in the context of housing and many other projects. I can list a number of regional transport projects that are important for the west. I could also refer to the national broadband plan and other important priorities. The Deputy has seen the NDP and some of the projects listed in it. We are reviewing the plan and updating it in the context of the additional capital that is available and that will, as we have stated, be allocated in strategic areas. That will be completed by the summer.”
“An additional €2.25 billion was allocated in 2024 as part of an update to the NDP which set out revised capital ceilings from 2024 to 2026. In budget 2025, almost €15 billion was made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, along with €3 billion of funds from the sale of the State’s shareholding in AIB. This level of expenditure is pivotal to consolidate the progress already made, to support balanced regional development, to address key infrastructural bottlenecks more rapidly, and to lead to further improvements in living standards and competitiveness. In addition, the recently agreed programme for Government sets out that the Government will prioritise an early review of the national development plan, which will be completed in July 2025.”
“As Minister for public expenditure, infrastructure, public service reform and digitisation, 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 or sectoral policy strategies within the allocations initially rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the national development plan, NDP, and for setting out the timelines for delivery. As a result, expenditure is allocated and monitored on a departmental basis. The Government has committed €165 billion of funding for capital investment under the NDP to 2030.”
“-----who has simply tried to apply the rules and procedures agreed by this House in good faith. The economic threats we face require all of us to work together on behalf of the people in the interest. Today's vote needs to mark a turning point. We need a concerted effort to refocus and return to a more constructive, collaborative approach in the series economic challenges we will face as a country.”
“During the last term we often disagreed but we were always able to find a way forward on many of the issues. We know that, through engagement, that is possible when it comes to all of the respective parties and groupings. I think Opposition Whips need to reflect on this. It is incumbent on all of us to work urgently to restore what was there previously in the public interest. We urgently need to establish the Oireachtas committees to have pre-legislative scrutiny on many of the legislative priorities, which is an important piece of parliamentary democracy. We need to give committees and all Members across the House an opportunity to play an active and constructive role and to work collaboratively. Pure opposition politics should not trump the public interest and we need to urgently restore mutual respect in this House.”
“Instead, we have found ourselves in this never-ending debate on speaking rights which has been defined by vitriol, barracking, anger, obstruction and a complete disregard and disrespect for the Ceann Comhairle and her office. There has been blocking of the election of a Taoiseach and the attempt to obstruct votes and shut down business. The attempts to shout down the Ceann Comhairle which have taken place in recent weeks is an attempt to shift Ireland to a really destructive and divisive politics. As a former Government Chief Whip during the last term, I always valued how we worked together at the Business Committee to try to build consensus in the House where we could. It is incumbent on all of us to work together to urgently restore a collegiate and constructive approach.”
“As we debate this motion, Ireland faces huge economic threats and Government is extensively planning for the impact of tariffs on the Irish economy, jobs and competitiveness. This should be the prime focus of all Members on all sides of the House.”
“Budget 2025 is continuing to deliver improvements and expansion across our public services for our growing population, continuing to invest in our young people and prioritising the need to address our infrastructure gap in the economy. We are committed to delivering value for money in the roll-out of new services as well as in the execution of the national development plan that provides housing, public transport, strong and reliable public utilities, healthcare and schools now and for the future. The ambition of this Government is to support the delivery of the right public services and infrastructure in a manner that provides value for money.”
“Taking into account the governance frameworks already in place, ongoing work to make improvements in these frameworks, and the constitutionally independent oversight provided by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, there is no requirement for the establishment of a new body that would duplicate the important work of the Comptroller and Auditor General and that would not have the same constitutionally independent and impartial role of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Government has put in place frameworks to ensure that value for money is achieved and my Department actively continues to develop these frameworks in the areas of governance, accountability and public expenditure management.”
“The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General relies on and refers to these frameworks during its investigations and cites them in its reports, particularly such frameworks as the code of practice for the governance of State bodies and the public financial procedures. Furthermore, Article 33 of the Constitution establishes the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, which is a key institution in the checks and balances of our democracy. It continues to serve the State well and its reports are considered and held in high regard by the Committee of Public Accounts.”
“Reviewing the public financial procedures is an effective way of ensuring this and the review will inform whatever steps are required in this regard. I also would like to bring to the attention of the House the work of my Department in the recent introduction of the updated 2024 internal audit standards, as well as the financial reporting reform for the Civil Service, as evidence that this Government and my Department continue to raise accountability standards in the public service using best international practice. This is how these have been developed in the context of global standards. These rules are required to be adhered to by all public bodies.”
“The detailed procedures of this framework are required to be observed by Government Departments in their consumption of public funds to provide public services and develop the capital infrastructure of our country. I would like to inform the House that my Department will carry out a full review of public financial procedures. This review will specifically examine the accountability requirements in terms of providing value for money. I want to be very clear that it is my view and the view of everyone in the Government that there simply has to be accountability and value for money for State spending, especially where there are specific questions over value for money considerations. Accountability must permeate through every level of the public service, including State agencies.”
“It is the legal responsibility of Departments to ensure that they, and the bodies under their aegis, comply with the governance and value-for-money principles and requirements, as their annual sanction to spend public money stipulates that Departments and Accounting Officers must have in place appropriate measures to operate in full compliance. The public financial procedures set out the rules and underpinning legal framework for the appropriate use of public money. They are based on the Constitution and legislation as well as the institutional and financial relationships between the Oireachtas, the Government, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.”
“They include the various budgetary processes and reforms which are in place to support oversight in the delivery of policy; guidelines, such as the recently reformed national infrastructure guidelines; the public spending code for current expenditure; the code of practice of the governance of State bodies; public financial procedures; public procurement guidelines; arrangements for oversight of digital and IT projects and initiatives; and internal and external audit processes that provide validation of public expenditure.”
“I can reference, for example, the sports capital programme and many other areas of capital investment that are valued by the Deputies in areas for which they advocate. The motion is not balanced in the context of the significant investment and impact that is being made in public services. I acknowledge the work and the dedication of many public and civil servants across the system who are helping to support all of the broader objectives in achieving these milestones. I recognise the work they do every day to try to achieve value for money across our public services. The Government has in place a range of oversight mechanisms pertaining to public expenditure. I would like to put examples of these frameworks on the Dáil record this morning.”
“There are also many more areas where there have been interventions, investment and support, and improvement in public services. It is unfair that the Deputies have not reflected and acknowledged that a lot of the investment that is being made is having a positive impact in communities. It is having a positive impact for the people the Deputies represent.”
“This investment is making significant positive impacts including: almost 53,000 new local authority scheme dwellings and the delivery of hundreds of projects under the rural and urban regeneration and development funds; significant reductions in outpatient waiting lists and improved health facilities such as hospital extensions, new primary care centres and community nursing units across the country; the abolition of inpatient charges, the introduction of the free contraception scheme and the expansion of access to free GP care to more than 670,000 people; significant upgrades to Ireland’s national road network and improvements to the public transport system; continued progress under the national broadband plan such that over 330,000 homes have now been passed by fibre; the free schoolbook scheme; and the early years childcare cost assistance to our families.”
“Building up and improving public services for our growing population requires significant investment in infrastructure now and into the future. Government expenditure has provided, and continues to provide, a robust response to the challenges and needs facing the Irish nation through continued investment, leadership and value for money in the delivery of public services and important infrastructure projects.”
“". I thank the Deputies for tabling this motion. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the focus of achieving value for money across the public services provided by the State. The past five years have seen an unprecedented expansion in the investment and delivery of public services. The Government and I absolutely condemn the waste of any public money. I am deeply disappointed with some of the cases that have come to light in recent weeks and months. Those examples of waste are unacceptable. The Government amendment sets out the many actions that are currently under way to strengthen the value-for-money component of the work undertaken by my Department and across government. I will speak to some of those actions today.”
“I move amendment No.1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the Government condemns the waste of any public money and notes that significant sums have been spent on providing better public services in recent years with the additional funding allocated towards improving and expanding the public services provided to our people; — Government expenditure has provided, and continues to provide, a robust response to the challenges and needs facing the Irish nation, through continued investment, leadership, and value for money in the delivery of public services and important infrastructure projects with this investment making significant positive impacts, including: — since 2021, completion of almost 53,000 new local authority scheme dwellings and delivery of hundreds of projects under the Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Funds; — significant reductions in outpatient waiting lists and improved health facilities, such as the National Forensic Mental Hospital in Portrane, hospital extensions and new primary care centres and community nursing units across the country; — a reduction of approximately 48 per cent in the weighted average waiting time for outpatient appointments, down from just over 13 months in September 2021 to 6.8 months at the end of December 2024; — cost barriers associated with healthcare being reduced through the abolition of inpatient charges, the introduction of the free contraception scheme, and the expansion of access to free general practitioner care to over 670,000 people, making healthcare more affordable for individuals and families; — Ireland performing well on treatable and preventable causes of mortality and making significant improvements over the past decade, including reductions in the mortality rate for all cancers; — Ireland being among a small group of seven European Union (EU) countries where life expectancy at birth is above 82; — significant upgrades to Ireland's national road network and improvements to the public transport system, including BusConnects; — high-quality cultural and sporting amenities delivered, such as the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown; — continued progress under the National Broadband Plan, such that over 330,000 homes have now been passed and can avail of the high-quality connectivity offered by this plan; — free schoolbooks Scheme; and — early years childcare cost assistance to our families; — all five budgets under the previous Government term successfully balanced the dual challenge of remaining responsive to economic and social developments, while seeking to ensure both value for money and fiscal sustainability of the public finances and this Government will continue to manage the demand for better public services and fiscal sustainability; — Accounting Officers and accountable persons operate under high standards of administrative accountability that ensures value for money is achieved and that this accountability is fundamental to good governance, which in turn is vital to ensuring trust in public administration; — in carrying out their duties, Accounting Officers and accountable persons operate within a range of frameworks continually developed by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in areas such as corporate governance, risk management, internal audit, infrastructure investment, current expenditure appraisal, standards in public office, freedom of information and financial reporting and that these frameworks have ensured both accountability and value for money through the huge expansion of public services over the last decade and have ensured that there has been and will continue to be a focus on value for money at the heart of expenditure decisions across the public sector;— the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will carry out a review of Public Financial Procedures with a view to further enhancing its accountability requirements in terms of providing value for money; — over the last decade, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has led on the development of expenditure appraisal expertise across Government Departments through the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service, which provides a network of analysts across Government to review the effectiveness of policies and programmes and to make proposals for improvements; — the Office of Government Procurement provides expert guidance and advice to public bodies as to the optimisation and efficiency of their procurement function, and to provide a clear understanding of compliance obligations with National and EU law in this complex function as well as continually working with stakeholders in the public and private sectors to develop more efficient and effective procurement procedures; — the size of Ireland's public service and expenditure is lean and efficient and provides value for money when compared to many other states with a similar economic and social model; further notes that: — under Budget 2025, the Government continues to invest in important public services and provides value for money, including through the expansion of health services, increases in core social welfare allowances; increased investment in housing, expansion of the School Meals Scheme; — investment in infrastructure is a critical component in supporting Ireland's growth and in delivering better, fit-for-purpose public services, and the increased capital spend in Budget 2025 continues the delivery of a NDP that is providing the vital infrastructure we need to support our future economic and social requirements, as well as our climate change commitments; — the delivery of capital projects has been challenged by a number of significant factors in recent years, including the continued impact of construction inflation on projects, labour shortages, particularly in the construction sector, and the ongoing delays in getting projects through the planning system; — the Government has approved a number of priority actions to improve delivery of NDP projects, including the introduction of the Infrastructure Guidelines in December 2023, to reduce the administrative burden on Departments charged with infrastructure delivery, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform also chairs the reconstituted Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board, which is charged with driving the delivery of the NDP, and these actions will boost the delivery of critical infrastructure in a sustainable and cost-effective manner, such as approximately 300 school building projects annually and BusConnects; — the Office of Public Works has introduced new governance measures and revisions to project approval thresholds to ensure the Management Board has oversight and approval of all works above €200,000; — the expansion of the mandatory Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies over the last decade and that it stipulates that 'State bodies should serve the interests of Government as a shareholder, the taxpayer and all other stakeholders, and pursue value for money in their endeavours', and that the Code is a critical framework for the application of best practice in corporate governance of both non-commercial and commercial public bodies under the aegis of Government Departments; — international private sector internal audit standards are in effect across the Civil and Public Service bodies through their adoption of the Institute of Internal Auditors' ,'2024 Global Internal Audit standards' that came into effect worldwide on 9th January, 2025, and that the adoption of these standards ensures that Central Government's internal audit framework is the same framework as for private sector entities, albeit with some clarifications pertaining to the different public sector governance arrangements; and — the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is currently rolling out a major financial reporting reform that is improving and modernising Central Government's system of administrative accountability; and acknowledges: — the diligent, tenacious, and comprehensive investigations by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG) and his staff in fulfilling his Constitutional duties and notes the high-quality of his annual Report on the Public Services based on his office's investigations into economy and efficiency of public expenditure under section 9 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993; and — taking into account the governance frameworks already in place, ongoing work to make improvements in these frameworks, and the constitutionally independent oversight provided by the OCAG, there is no requirement for the establishment of a new body that would duplicate this work and that also would not have the same constitutionally independent and impartial role of the OCAG.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Order in draft: Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2025, copies of which have been laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 12th February, 2025.”
“We are all aware of the need to tackle various policy issues in a cross-departmental and more focused manner. The increase in the number of Ministers of State will enable the Government to extend this cross-cutting approach to the many issues in which more than one Department has a significant role. Ministers of State will play a valuable role in the delivery of our extensive programme of Government. This additional work of Ministers of State attending Cabinet should be recognised and compensated in an equitable manner. Accordingly, I commend the Bill to the Seanad.”
“In addition, and as set out by the Taoiseach, given the global uncertainties and threats we face, this Government is prioritising the protection and strengthening of Ireland’s international relationships with a particular focus on trade and collaboration within the European Union, especially during our upcoming Council Presidency. The Minister of State with responsibility for Europe will oversee these efforts. The Government will also focus on developing a new relationship with the United Kingdom, with all Departments building bilateral relations with their UK counterparts. Our focus will be on fortifying ties with international partners, especially in Europe, to boost trade and create more opportunities for Irish businesses. Public policy has become more complex as our society has grown and developed.”
“The assistance and support provided by a Minister of State will be essential to achieving our ambitious targets: accelerating the number of homes available; implementing new programmes of health digitalisation and modernisation and reform of the education sector; supporting Irish businesses not only to find new markets but also to reduce costs; bringing together relevant stakeholders to address the needs around community development and policing; providing more focused leadership in management of immigration; and achieving climate and biodiversity goals by focusing on energy transformation while supporting our rural communities and the agrifood sector to prosper.”
“Through improved cross-departmental working and promoting simultaneous action, Ministers of State will enable a more cohesive approach to delivering the programme for Government. There are a range of areas on which the Government will focus its attention.”
“Many of the new challenges we face are cross-cutting and require cross-departmental responses. For this reason, the Government is reorganising some Departments to better address the main issues that have been identified with a whole-of-government approach. In relation to the second proposed change, the role of a Minister of State is important in ensuring policy implementation under their area of responsibility. With an additional role and responsibility for contributing to Cabinet meetings, it is appropriate the relevant Ministers of State should receive the allowance relating to that particular role. New ministerial responsibilities at Minister of State level will be delegated to ensure there is an appropriate focus across all Government priorities.”
“This reflects the role of the Minister of State in facilitating the Government to work more efficiently by allowing the appointment of junior Ministers and delegating to them specified functions to progress Government priorities. The 1977 Act set the maximum number of Ministers of State at ten. This was increased subsequently to 15 in 1980, 17 in 1995 and 20 in 2007. The major consideration for seeking the proposed change to 23, as was the case in 1980, 1995 and 2007, is the increased volume of Government priorities and business. Since 2007, the expansion of ministerial duties has stemmed from the growing complexity of policy issues, the challenges of steering vast Government initiatives and the heightened involvement with stakeholders at all levels, both nationally and internationally.”
“On the first proposed provision, the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 first provided for the appointment by the Executive Council of a maximum of seven parliamentary secretaries to act as junior Ministers. In 1977, this provision was replaced by the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, which allowed for the appointment of Ministers of State from among Members of either House. Section 2 of the 1977 Act provides for the delegation of functions to a Minister of State. A Government order may be made on the request of a Minister, delegating to his or her Minister of State all the Minister’s powers and duties under a particular Act or, more narrowly, any particular statutory power or duty.”
“I thank the Cathaoirleach. I congratulate him on his election as Chair. I credit all the Senators: all the newly elected Senators and those back in situ . I wish everyone the best over the next few months and years. The purpose of this Bill is to give effect to the decision by Government to increase from 20 to 23 the maximum number of Ministers of State. As the Seanad will be aware, the number has remained unchanged for the past 18 years, since 2007, when Minister of State numbers increased from 17 to 20. The Bill will also allow for the existing allowance for Ministers of State attending Cabinet meetings to be extended to four Ministers of State. At the moment, a maximum of three Ministers of State may receive the allowance for attending Cabinet.”
“These set the value-for-money guidance for evaluating, planning and managing Exchequer-funded capital projects. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and the national frameworks are a key responsibility of every Department and Minister. The public spending code, which is a guide to evaluating, planning and managing public investment, provided a set of guidelines and a project lifecycle from conception to completion, which gave Departments and public bodies the tools to appraise project proposals in line with international standards.”
“It also represents a real risk to our competitiveness and to our attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment. Achieving value for money in a timely manner while reducing cost and schedule overruns is a vital part of delivering the NDP. Therefore, the programme for Government commits my Department to reviewing the infrastructure guidelines and creating a public investment Act that would require sponsoring agencies to meet timelines on the development of project appraisals and other evaluations so as to reduce delays in decision-making and embed value for money across all capital projects. My Department is responsible for the infrastructure guidelines, which replaced the public spending code and were published in December 2023, with an effective date of 1 January 2024.”
“I thank the Deputy. The Government has committed to €165 billion in capital investment through the national development plan published in 2021. As a percentage of national income, annual capital investment is now among the largest in the EU. In 2025, €15 billion will fund vital infrastructure in areas such as housing, transport, education, enterprise, sport and climate action. An additional €2.25 billion of windfall corporation tax receipts has also been allocated from 2024 to 2026 to provide funding for critical infrastructure projects that are at an advanced stage as well as to the existing climate action fund. The programme for Government acknowledges delays to project delivery result in higher costs and hamper our ability to provide the necessary infrastructure to service a modern society and economy.”
“The framework we have respects that, which is why the process of consultation is also reflected in the policy framework we have, which involves engagement of stakeholders, including employee representative groups at a local level. The overall process, as it has evolved since it was introduced during Covid, has been respectful.”
“I respectfully disagree because we have a blended working evaluation model and that is providing significant insights and evidence. It was published by my Department in July last year and is designed to assist organisations in effectively assessing the impact of blended working on the ways people work. The model provides for a mechanism for continuous improvement. This enables organisations to gain valuable insights, share learnings and identify areas for enhancement. I have also put on record that the framework encourages individual Civil Service organisations to carry out regular reviews. The business needs of the wider public service are fragmented and different based on the respective roles, remits and responsibilities that particular civil or public servants have.”
“That has been managed very well across the Civil Service and public service since it was introduced and it has been supported by my Department in the context of the blended working evaluation model, which respects that discretion in the context of each Civil Service organisation.”
“The blended working policy framework encourages all individual Civil Service organisations to carry out regular reviews of their own blended working policies in consultation with all stakeholders, including employee representative groups at a local level. The current blended working policy framework for the Civil Service organisations recognises as well that employers require flexibility at a local level to decide on the blended working arrangements that best suit their own business and service delivery needs. That is how this has evolved since it was introduced a number of years ago. It is a matter for each Civil Service organisation to assess those needs and to develop tailored blended working policies appropriate, for example, in the context of what the distinction is between in work and remote work.”
“The framework recognises that employers require flexibility to decide on the blended working arrangements that best suit their own business and service delivery needs, having regard to the policy or service delivery context in which they operate. In July last year, my Department published the blended working evaluation model with a view to assisting Civil Service organisations in effectively assessing the impact of blended ways of working on the workforce, organisations and the public. The outcome of these evidence-based assessments will help to inform future policy direction to ensure that blended working evolves to best serve those organisations, the workforce and the public.”
“The framework already provides for reviews, in consultation with stakeholders, on an ongoing basis to adapt to any changes required to meet the needs of business and employees and to incorporate any broader strategies and approaches to new ways of working. Civil Service organisations are encouraged to review their policies regularly to ensure that they continue to meet their business needs. The Civil Service remains committed to ensuring that the public have access to services underpinned by efficient public service delivery. In this context, ongoing reviews of the impact of blended working on organisations, the workforce and the public are essential.”
“The Government has committed to review the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations to consider how the implementation of this approach best delivers public services. My Department will consider the commitments and actions set out in the programme for Government which fall under its remit, including the commitments and actions relating to blended working. The Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations was published by my Department in March 2022. The framework provides broad strategic direction to individual Departments and offices in the Civil Service in developing tailored policies on blended working that are appropriate to their business needs.”
“A lot of that comes down to the design process and, in terms of bigger capital projects, where standardisation is possible and where design protocols are there, ensuring that the appropriate governance is in place to manage particular cost overruns and that there is intervention at a management level if things are escalating from a cost perspective. We have an overall capital envelope that is ambitious to drive better infrastructure delivery in our economy, but value for money has to be at the centre of that. That will be a real focus for me as we establish an infrastructure division in my Department while also ensuring we have better discipline on overall spending and value for money.”
“I thank the Deputy and I welcome that. The Minister of State, Deputy Moran, and I are happy to work with everyone on a constructive basis on the common objective across our respective responsibilities in the Department. I take very seriously the concerns that have been articulated relating to value for money on particular projects, well-documented ones, many of which were unacceptable in terms of their cost overruns. It is important that there is that anchor of discipline on overall spending when it comes to capital projects in our economy and that there is a focus on delivery at the lowest cost.”
“That is why, as part of the appraisal for projects under the infrastructure guidelines, sponsoring agents are asked to critically consider the potential schedule and cost implications of a project, which is further developed as a project progresses through the approval gates and more information becomes available as it moves from a preliminary to a final business case, before the awarding of a contract. It includes both detailed financial and economic appraisal and accounting for all appropriate levels of contingency. That is all set out in the overall infrastructure guidance.”
“It is an absolute priority. On the specific items or examples the Deputy has raised, I have met with the chair of the OPW, along with the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, as regards the specific concerns relating to particular projects. In certain instances, members of the public have been extremely concerned, as indeed I think anyone in the political system is, about particular cost overruns. The OPW has been held to account in the Oireachtas. It is important that we have central guidance and oversight to ensure value for money and ensure that there is proper standardisation, that the design protocols are in place and that projects can be delivered at a lower cost and in an effective timeframe.”
“These included recommendations arising from several reports, including the 2017 IMF report Technical Assistance Report – Public Investment Management Assessment and the PWC independent review of the escalation in costs at the new children’s hospital, a consultation process involving key stakeholders, as well as international evidence. The introduction of the infrastructure guidelines in 2023 focused on reducing the administrative burden in delivering major capital projects which came as part of the Government’s priority action to maximise the delivery of projects. This was implemented through reducing the number of approval stages and streamlining the requirements for major projects, while retaining the international best practice governance and oversight arrangements already in place.”
“My Department is responsible for the infrastructure guidelines, which replaced the public spending code for capital appraisal since the end of 2023. These set the value-for-money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing Exchequer-funded capital projects. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and the national frameworks is a key responsibility of every Department, Accounting Officer and Minister. The 2019 update to the public spending code, the introduction of the external assurance process and the major projects advisory group, and the most recent updates were informed by a number of different factors.”
“The previous Government committed to €165 billion in capital investment through the national development plan, published in 2021. As a percentage of national income, annual capital investment is now among the largest in the EU. In 2025, €15 billion will fund vital infrastructure in areas such as housing, transport, education, enterprise, sport and climate action. An additional €2.25 billion of windfall corporate tax receipts has been allocated from 2024 to 2026 to provide funding for critical infrastructure projects that are at an advanced stage, as well as to the existing climate action fund. Ensuring that projects are properly costed with realistic start and completion dates is vital in achieving value for money from this investment.”