Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy McConalogue has a total misunderstanding of the purpose of the capital budget allocated to my Department. It is to support enterprises that are growing. It is not available for road projects, which would have to be funded by other Departments. Perhaps the Deputy would direct his question to those Departments. We support Enterprise Ireland and IDA companies and micro-companies in their development. Last year we saw a 25% increase in two years in the number of people employed in IDA companies in County Donegal. That is a very significant commitment of additional resource by my Department to expand employment opportunities in IDA-sponsored companies. The proposals for enterprise development come from companies visiting and choosing to locate or grow, or Irish-owned companies starting up or developing. Those are the main vehicles for capital allocation spending from my Department. A significant portion will go to Donegal.

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