909. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if central monitoring of major public projects includes assessment of whether the benefits and outcomes identified in the original business case are subsequently delivered; the person or body responsible for monitoring benefits realisation following project completion; if this information is reported centrally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61158/26]

As Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, my Department is responsible for the Infrastructure Guidelines, which replaced the Public Spending Code for capital appraisal in 2023. These set the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing Exchequer-funded capital projects to ensure that vital infrastructure projects will be delivered on time and in a manner that ensures value for money through detailed evaluation, appraisal and planning. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and the national frameworks, including the Infrastructure Guidelines and National Planning Framework, is a key responsibility of every Department, Accounting Officer, and Minister.

As an investment proposal progresses through the project lifecycle, the benefits and outcomes identified in the preliminary business case are further developed and refined in subsequent business cases as more information becomes available. The methodology that will be used to track and evaluate the extent to which the benefits and outcomes are realised, is set out in the projects Evaluation Plan. Following project/programme approval at Approval Gate 3, the Approving Authority is responsible for ensuring that the Sponsoring Agency delivers the investment proposal as approved.

Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation is the last stage of the project lifecycle and is critical for informing sectoral and national guidance and future projects. During this stage, an Ex-Post Evaluation is undertaken on all projects over €20 million, to determine if the intended benefits and outcomes materialised. This evaluation is carried out in line with the methodology set out in the proposals Evaluation Plan, and the lessons learned are then incorporated into sectoral and national guidance to inform future investment proposals. As benefits are not seen until after a project has been completed, the Ex-Post Evaluation takes place once sufficient time has passed for the benefits and outcomes to materialise. It is the responsibility of the Approving Authority to ensure that the Post Completion Review and Benefits Realisation stage is carried out in line with the recommendations in the Infrastructure Guidelines.

The wider purpose of the Ex-Post Evaluation is to ensure lessons learned from the project or programme translate into improved knowledge for the sector and wider public service, building up a baseline of data within public bodies to inform sectoral guidance, similar projects or programmes and similar elements across investment proposals. Under the Infrastructure Guidelines, these reports should be published and disseminated to support a culture of continuous improvement in the evaluating, planning and managing of public investment. For projects over €50 million, they should be sent to my Department for dissemination and the findings and lessons learned will be reflected in future iterations of appraisal guidance, where appropriate.