John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the review of capital spending in his Department to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8585/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The government has announced the preparation of a new Capital Investment Framework for the period from 2012. This will be overseen by my colleague Brendan Howlin T.D. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In this context, my Department has commenced a Capital Expenditure Review which will set out the priorities for transport infrastructure spending for the coming years. Key criteria for selecting projects will be the costs and benefits of each as well as their overall economic impact and job creation potential. Having regard to the new financial realities a major priority will be to provide funds to protect investments made to date and to maintain high safety standards. I expect the Review, which will take place in consultation with relevant agencies, to be completed in approximately three months.