Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is concerning. It comes back to the levels of inflation we have seen. The Minister is saying the Government will continue its capital expenditure, but the answer indicates that will fall short of the level of ambition outlined in the national development plan in 2021. Even with the increase of €2.25 billion over three years that has finally been announced, the underspend will reach approximately €11 billion by the end of 2026. The stability programme update, SPU, was published today, so that figure might have to be adjusted. An additional €250 million was allocated in 2024. Even with the additional funding, the capital budget for this year is still €2.4 billion short.

Will the Minister confirm, on the current projections, that the Government will not meet the 5% of GNI* target this year for the fourth consecutive year? Will he also confirm that it will not reach the 5% target next year? I think he has said already that the Government will not reach it.

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