Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

16. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the priorities in his capital expenditure statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33081/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I announced the publication of "Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021".  The Capital Plan sets out the Government's commitment to Exchequer investment of €27 billion over the six-year period 2016-2021 across a number of key priorities. 

In recognition of the importance of transport to our recovery and the large scale investment needed, €10 billion is being provided for transport between 2016 and 2022. This will include €6bn for investment in the national, regional and local road network.  It also involves €3.6bn for Public Transport, including a new Metro link in Dublin.

Over the period 2016 to 2021, capital funding of almost €3 billion will be provided in support of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which aims to increase the supply of social housing by up to 35,000 units.

€3.8 billion is being invested in Education which will enable us to continue to meet growing enrolments at primary and post-primary level, and also to invest in third level facilities.

Over €3 billion is being invested in Health to deliver major infrastructural projects such as the new National Children's Hospital.

The Plan also announces the development of a new 3rd Phase of the Government's PPP programme with about €500 million of PPP projects.

In addition, over the period of the Capital Plan, the wider State sector plans to invest €14½ billion in capital projects.  This will principally be undertaken by the commercial State-owned companies.  These will lead to about €42 billion of State backed investment in capital projects.

The Exchequer funded Plan will support some 45,000 construction related jobs and protect our economic recovery and competitiveness.

It is a National programme that will also provide a commitment to rollout Broadband in rural areas, investment via the Rural Development Programme, and a new Village Renewal Scheme.  We will respond to climate change by investing more resources in energy efficiency, Forestry Programmes, increasing flood mitigation works.

We will also make investments in the Justice Sector including investment in necessary ICT infrastructure and in the Garda fleet to support Garda reform and deliver an effective and modern policing service.

The resources are targeted where infrastructural improvements are most required.  The plan has been designed to underpin and build on our economic recovery.