Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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121. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for a further stimulus package for the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1953/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Since July 2012 I have made a number of announcements in relation to additional capital investment to augment the existing Exchequer capital framework which is focused on projects with a high employment impact and which can benefit local economies throughout the State. This investment is predicated on the use of non-traditional funding methods e.g. private financing through the PPP structure and additional Exchequer investment through reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of State assets and the new licencing arrangement for the National Lottery.

To date, a total of €1½ billion in new PPP projects has been announced with a further investment of €250 million to be added to the pipeline once suitable projects have been identified. On the Exchequer side, an additional €150m investment in schools, energy efficiency and roads projects was committed followed by the more recent announcement in relation to the use of the proceeds from the Lottery Licence transaction.

As I announced on Budget day, a review of the public capital programme will be undertaken by my Department this year and will culminate in the setting of the Government s capital investment framework for the period ahead. It is my intention that the use of further proceeds arising from the sale of assets including Bord Gáis Energy where there was recent selection of a preferred bidder - will be considered as part of the review. The review will also examine the scope for the utilisation of other non-traditional funding sources to augment investment in employment intensive projects that can promote economic growth.