Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

My Department's capital allocation this year is €501 million. This allocation is assigned to eight subheads of which the schools building programme and investment in higher education are the largest. At the end of October, €367 million or almost 75% of the allocation was expended. In terms of the overall allocation 83% is assigned to the school building programme and at the end of October this programme was €5m ahead of profile. The balance will be fully expended by year end. I have also agreed with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, that the outturn for capital expenditure will be close to €530 million and that the increased capital expenditure will be funded by savings found elsewhere in my Department.

The spend includes the €28 million primary schools minor works grant for the 2011-12 school year.

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