Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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769. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will seek a public private partnership arrangement for the construction of the N22 Cork-Kerry road and the M8 Dunkettle interchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32366/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in the response to a previous similar question from the Deputy (PQ 15128/14 of 2 April 2014), the general approach my Department has taken to future capital projects is to keep under review projects at various stages of planning and design which have been evaluated and appraised in order to have a pipeline of suitable "shovel ready" projects ready to avail of any funding opportunities that may arise. The projects mentioned are among these.  However as the Deputy will appreciate, I must prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure. I understand from the NRA that the Ballyvourney to Macroom scheme, which has been approved by An Bord Pleanála and where land is being acquired, is suitable for consideration as a PPP in the future and could be included in a project bundle.

As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Government’s Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2015-2017 and Capital Review 2015-2019 have commenced.  The Current and Capital Reviews will consider new ways of achieving Government objectives in the current tight fiscal climate. I cannot say at this point what the outcome of the Comprehensive Review and of the Capital Review process will be. The scope for progressing projects such as this will be dependent on the availability of funding.