Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

In terms of some of the information we have received and information in the public domain, I am concerned about the operation of the group on the capital programme. In general, it has been indicated that the 2009 capital programme is approximately €8 billion and that €6 billion of that is committed or contracted for in some formal way. We have had some breakdowns in the information service and during briefings from the Minister's officials, but we have no information on what are the projects. One would not have to be a genius to work out that the uncommitted €2 billion is most at risk.

I am most concerned that the uncommitted €2 billion includes a very high figure for education. Large numbers of school building programmes have not been subject to full commitment because of how the schools building programme works. From talking to principals and others, I understand that is over €600 million. In terms of generating construction activity, it is far more important to spend the €600 million on schools than some of the committed projects under the €6 billion, because that will give jobs to construction workers on a wide basis throughout the country. It is really important that we have some answers. Otherwise, one could spend on commitments which generate very little in jobs and reflation of local economies. That is where the Opposition needs information on the strategy.

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