Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The capital investment plan introduced by the Government over a week ago, amid much inflated hype, earmarks €27 billion toward a number of areas, including transport and housing, over a six-year period. The plan is plush with style and grand statements, but when we search for the substance and detail there is little to be found.

As we draw ever closer to the end of 2015, the spectre of an election looms large, and I have little doubt as to the extent of its influence. For all the contrived statements and press calls, the Government must remember that these issues affect every person in this country. The people are not just an electorate to be courted, but citizens to which these plans must be delivered.

Housing is grossly under addressed in the Minister's document. It takes up just over one page, the majority of which repeats details of another document, the Social Housing Strategy 2020. According to the capital plan, and I quote directly from the text, "The Government believes that everyone should have access to good quality housing suited to their needs at an affordable price and in a sustainable community". Why then has this Government failed comprehensively to tackle the housing emergency in a decisive manner? Through the capital plan the Government aims put €3 billion towards the Social Housing Strategy 2020, under which the Minister claims he will deliver up to 35,000 units, with an implication that he might not deliver on the full 35,000. It is clear that most of that 35,000 will be delivered from the private sector and will be directed towards the RAS, rent supplement and HAP schemes.

At current estimates, we reed over 20,000 houses a year to meet demand. I remind the Government that between 2008 and 2014, State spending on housing fell by €1.6 billion. It started with the previous government and finished with the current one. In 2013, approximately 750 units were built by local authorities and AHBs, with a further 1,200 delivered through leasing arrangements. We are in a crisis and this situation has reached a fundamentally critical stage for far too many people across the country. The Government spinning a skeletal plan in the context of an election does nothing to improve the situation.

Regarding transport, we broadly welcome the much-needed investment in the road network, including the €4.4 billion earmarked for road maintenance and upgrades.

However, we have concerns about the lack of costings in the capital plan. A total of €1.6 billion is to be spent on new road projects. The Minister listed a broad range throughout the country, almost one for every area.

The metro north rail project is essential for a European capital city like Dublin. In principle, we welcome plans to proceed with its development. Plans for a metro in Dublin go all the way back to 2001, when the report entitled A Platform for Change, produced by the Dublin Transportation Office, proposed two metro lines, metro north and metro west. In 2006 the Railway Procurement Agency drew up plans for three potential routes. However, it was March 2007 before RPA started the procurement process, and it was not until 2009 that potential bidders were short-listed. The consideration of other potential projects such as metro north and the DART underground, as well as issues in finalising the route selection, resulted in the deferral of any metro plan for Dublin. Today, 14 years after the idea was originally proposed, the Government has earmarked funding, and construction of the metro north will start in 2021. The project is due for completion in 2026 or 2027. Given the 15-year wait for any real progress, it is difficult to envisage the Government delivering a metro even within this elongated timeline, particularly if the consultation process is to be revisited. I wish to remind the House that €170 million has been spent on the metro north already.

It is also disappointing that the A5 has been all but written off in the Government plans. So much for cross-Border projects and co-operation.

Our success in public private partnerships is not impressive, and this calls into question the €300 million announced by the Government in housing. We have seen many projects collapse over the years, and PPPs have always been a major problem.

Throughout the tenure of this Government, investment in housing and transport has suffered. Between 2012 and 2014, the capital budget for transport amounted to €3.4 billion. I have no doubt those in the Government will congratulate themselves on forward planning, but delivery is the essential component. Otherwise, this plan can be considered little more than electioneering.

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