Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the other areas, we have this recovery but the figures significantly overstate the recovery. We can have a big discussion about the nature of the recovery, where its benefits are going and the fact that the majority of people do not feel it. How will we have a real recovery that is felt by the majority and that leads to sustainable growth and increases in living standards without a significant increase in public expenditure? At the moment total spending is down about €5 billion a year on 2008. Capital expenditure in 2008 was €8.5 billion; it is projected at €4.4 billion next year. Expenditure on housing is €1.4 billion, less than half of what it was in 2008. Does the Minister agree that it is necessary to significantly increase public expenditure if there is to be a real recovery for the majority?