Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which the optimum balance is likely to be achieved between capital and current expenditure in order to meet targets arising from the on-going economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35409/11]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Given the magnitude of the adjustment required to meet our obligations of reducing the deficit below 3% of GDP by 2015, we have had to significantly scale back and reprioritise public expenditure in order to meet the terms of the Programme of Financial Support. A full and thorough evaluation of both Capital and Current expenditure has been carried out along with the development of the Public Service Reform programme. The Medium-Term Fiscal Statement published on 4 November set out the year-by-year targets to which the Government is now committed for taxation and for expenditure, both Current and Capital. We are satisfied that these targets represent the best balance for the Irish economy and society. The precise measures by which we will deliver on these targets for 2012 will be set out with the publication of the Budget and Estimates in the first week of December.