Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
53. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the steps his Department has taken to help reduce increasing costs on ICT projects across all departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70802/25]
View answer81. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has implemented steps which each department must take before they can begin an ICT project to ensure that there will not be an overspend of public funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70803/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 81 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that I will be taking PQs 70802/25 and 70803/25 together.
My Department’s Circular 14 of 2021directly addresses the steps that each department must take before starting a new ICT project. Circular 14/2021 sets out Arrangements for Oversight of Digital and ICT-related Initiatives in the Civil and Public Service and is operated by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), a division of my department. Additionally, this Circular provides for the Peer Review process, which specifically applies to digital and ICT initiatives of significant scale, risk and/or strategic importance. The Circular requires that Public Service Bodies seek approval for all new digital/ICT initiatives prior to any government decision, the publication of any procurement documents, or otherwise committing to the project, including expenditure. Furthermore, specific approval of OGCIO is required where there is significant variation to the scope, schedule, deliverables, cost or quality since an original approval was conveyed by this Department. For projects with lifetime costs of over €5 million, the OGCIO manages a peer review process to ensure governance arrangements are robust and risks are managed.
In addition to its oversight role, the OGCIO delivers a portfolio of shared ICT/digital services available to Public Service Bodies including Government Networks, National Low Latency Platform, Managed Desktop, Government Private Cloud, Government Data Centre, the Enterprise Project Portfolio Management framework, Build to Share Applications suite and the gov.ie family of websites. Public service bodies are encouraged to avail of these services where these will meet their needs, thus maximising the impact of the investment in these services. The Deputy will find more details on the range of services available from the OGCIO in my Department’s annual reports which are published on gov.ie
The Deputy should note that Public Service Bodies continue to be directly responsible for the success of all digital and ICT initiatives, including associated expenditures, as well as engagement with the Expenditure Management Divisions of this Department in relation to funding. Furthermore, this Circular does not alter other compliance or reporting obligations required of Public Service Bodies including under the Public Spending Code/ Infrastructure Guidelines.
The Public Financial Procedures (PFP), set out the relevant statutory, parliamentary and administrative requirements, for all public expenditure. It also emphasises the need for economy, efficiency and effectiveness, and promotes good practice and high standards of propriety. The detailed procedures of PFP 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 within budget and provide value for money.
The Infrastructure Guidelines sets the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing capital projects. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and the national frameworks is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister.
The Approving Authority, which in most cases is the funding Department, have ultimate responsibility for all projects and it is the responsibility of the relevant Accounting Officer to ensure compliance with the relevant requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This is part of the overall Accounting Officer role in terms of accountability, delivery, regularity, propriety and ensuring value for money.
All Exchequer funded capital projects are subject to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and those developing the project must follow the project lifecycle and carry out all the required elements.
