A Mayo View: Closer monitoring of capital spending is overdue political move
It was revealed earlier this year that the Department of Housing failed to spend more than €1 billion earmarked for housing over the past three years, a period during which there has been an unprecedented housing crisis.
At the same time, there has been chronic overspending in other departments, with the HSE reporting a deficit to the end of March last of €178 million.
Due to its overspend and the perceived underfunding of health within Budget 2024, service delivery within the health system is likely to be affected negatively. Already, there is a freezing of administrative posts and industrial action taking place.
Now the regional group of TDs have been successful this week in having new legislation adopted to ensure a greater monitoring of public expenditure and its more equal distribution.
For example, while the payout in health exceeded its budget by €178 million, there has been a noted lack of investment in mental health services, social inclusion services, older people and health and well-being initiatives.
At the same time, the gap in investment levels in the west and northwest compared to other parts of the county, particularly the east, continues to widen.
The Capital Supply Service and Purpose Report Bill 2023, drafted by Waterford Independent TD Matt Shanahan and his colleagues in the regional group, will place a legal requirement for each department minister to report annually on large capital expenditure in his or her department after the expenditure has been allocated.
While there have been information channels in place in respect of these matters, they have clearly not been effective enough.
It is crazy to think that €1 billion was lying in the accounts of the Department of Housing when people were crying out for houses.
This is the most glaring recent example of how government fails its citizens by an absence of proper planning.
The situation in regard to the firmed-established concerns over unbalanced regional development is another.
So clearly the regional group of TDs are on the right track.
Mayo Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh put it well when she said delivering capital projects is vital and can be the difference between a region developing and a region being left behind or lagging.
It can be the difference between someone lying on a trolley or getting a hospital bed.
On this very point, the HSE has finally applied for planning permission for a much-needed extension to the emergency department of Mayo University Hospital.
Every step of this project needs to be watched closely to ensure it is delivered within a reasonable time frame for the betterment of the people of the county and, indeed, the dedicated staff of the hospital.