Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 189: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he is proposing to re-design or re-allocate resources from the capital expenditure programme or the national development plan to ensure that capital expenditure is channelled towards employment intensive projects first; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6369/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government decision of 3rd February last re-allocated €150m from within the revised 2009 capital allocation of €7.931 billion to labour intensive activities in the areas of school building and energy efficiency/home insulation measures. This is part of the Government's endeavours to respond to the employment difficulties at present by investing in labour intensive areas which will promote and sustain domestic employment and achieve other policy objectives. As the deputy is aware, NDP capital investment supports employment directly as well as addressing issues that will help in sustaining employment, such as the development of key economic infrastructure including major transport projects, water services, school building, STI capital etc. The extent to which further re-allocation is possible is subject to review. The precise details of individual Vote allocations are currently being finalised in consultation with Departments and will be included in the upcoming Revised Estimates Volume 2009.