12. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if there is long-term financial planning for capital infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40182/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

I have met people working for State bodies involved in asset procurement for long-term infrastructure projects. One of the points they constantly raise is the lack of long-term financial planning and commitments on projects that take a long time to deliver, for example, ten years. They say that more certainty is needed and this would help improve the efficiency of delivering the projects and gain the commitment of suppliers to the projects. Can we move away from the short-term approach and put more emphasis on long-term financing and certainty?

Sentiment score: 0.34

I want to emphasise how spending on infrastructure is an investment, in that it gives a return. For example, I recently attended the opening of the new wastewater treatment plant in Arklow, County Wicklow, which cost €140 million and came in on budget. Much of that €140 million comes back to the State immediately through taxes. This plant has a capacity of 24,000 population equivalent with an expansion possibility to 36,000. This can cater for over 10,000 new houses. When these houses are built, the State will recoup much more than the €140 million investment. VAT on new houses, development levies, and the taxes and spending involved in construction will flow back to the State, before even valuing the environmental benefits.

Sentiment score: 0.10

Regarding delivery, a new infrastructure division group has recently been established. For the current national development plan, a delivery board was set up in 2018. The national development plan envisages five or four - it is not clear - additional outside experts being added. It only meets every two to three months, which seems way too seldom. I wonder how successful it has been. Another body was set up in 2012, the Irish Government Economic Evaluation Service, IGEES, which has taken on 150 analysts. By the way, this is all in the current national development plan. EY's report, entitled "Supporting Excellence", has many recommendations to help infrastructure delivery. All these groups appear worthy but I wonder if they have worked.

Sentiment score: 0.14