Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While the final details of the proposed approach are currently being examined, I am happy to set out for the Deputy the main current elements of the proposed review of the capital plan. As is normal in respect of a multi-annual capital programme, a commitment was made to conduct a mid-term review in 2017 in order to take stock of progress and provide the Government with an opportunity to reaffirm priorities.

As the Deputy will be aware, A Programme for a Partnership Government committed to seeking Oireachtas approval for additional capital investment of €4 billion over the period of the plan. This was further increased to €5.14 billion in the summer economic statement. The priority areas which were identified by Government to benefit from this increased funding included transport, broadband, health, education and flood defences. Due to the obvious need for additional investment in housing, the Government also agreed earlier this year that €2.2 billion of the additional capital should be allocated to the Government's initiatives aimed at tackling the housing crisis while in budget 2017, the Government also allocated additional capital funding for 2017 with further consequences for 2018 and 2019.

In respect of the process about which the Deputy asked, it is my intention that the outcome of the review will be ready in time for publication as part of the 2017 mid-year expenditure report and be available to Government in time to shape the discussion on final capital allocations for 2018 to 2021 in the context of budget 2018. We are commencing this review by seeking submissions from all Government Departments. I am also considering the possibility of wider consultation but I want to ensure that there is an opportunity to use that consultation to influence this process so we conclude it in a timely fashion.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

As part of this review, work will commence on a much more fundamental review of Ireland's long term infrastructural requirements to include a benchmarking of our existing infrastructure by reference to that of other comparable countries, an assessment of our likely infrastructural needs over a much longer term than the current capital plan and consideration of how best these needs can be met. 

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