Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

Due to the consolidation of the progress gained to-date in the voluntary housing area, it is expected there will be a record output of approximately 1,700 units in 2003 and there will be an increase in the number of households that will benefit under the various affordable housing schemes.

A number of Senators raised the issue of infrastructure. Despite suggestions to the contrary, investment in infrastructure is running at historically high levels in recent years. The reality is that the Government has substantially increased the annual Exchequer capital provision since 1997. It has increased from €2 billion to €5.5 billion in 2004. We have maintained it at approximately 5% of GDP in recent years in order to give priority to addressing the infrastructural deficit. The different schemes announced are making substantial progress. Some of the major ones discussed here today are well ahead of budget contrary to many of the reports about the big national programmes.

The Government's commitment to implementing its economic and social policy, as appropriate to prevailing economic circumstances and to the sound management of the public finances, will be to the benefit of people in the coming years. The 2004 Estimates provide for a gross expenditure of €40.4 billion. This is an overall increase of €1.9 billion or 5% on the forecast outturn for 2003. It is ahead of inflation which is currently running at 2.3%. Some 67% of this provision will be allocated to the key priorities of health, education and social welfare.