Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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306. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the recent finding by the Global Competitiveness Report, which ranked Ireland's public infrastructure as thirteenth out of the EU-15, ahead of only Italy and Greece; if, in view of these findings, he is satisfied with the proposed 50:50 ratio of tax cuts to public services investment, as announced in the Spring Statement 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18130/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The World Economic Forum's Global Competiveness Report referred to by the Deputy is an interesting document that contains a number of comparative indices including the 'Overall Quality of Infrastructure'.  This shows Ireland's ranking as on par with other highly developed economies.  Based on this index, Ireland ranks well above average and has improved significantly since 2010.  I understand that this data is based on a survey of executives' perceptions rather than an actual qualitative assessment.  Such surveys are useful for tracking general trends in perception and opinions, however they are less reliable in terms of precise results.

For Budget 2016, the Spring Economic Statement (SES) has outlined that fiscal space amounting to €1.2 billion to €1.5 billion, evenly split between expenditure increases and tax reductions, will be available to the Government. This will provide us with the opportunity to reduce the tax burden for low and middle income earners, encourage further economic growth and increase investment in public services. Decisions regarding the division of fiscal space between tax and expenditure measures in future years will be taken in the relevant estimates cycle with due regard to the overarching principles of sustaining economic growth and enhancing public services.

The SES also assumes that post-2017, voted capital expenditure allocations are left unchanged in nominal terms. This is a technical working assumption only and these amounts will be finalised by Government in line with the forthcoming publication of the Capital Review.