Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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87. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he and his Department have identified the vital infrastructural projects in respect of which he expects progress over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41093/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In the initial stages of the capital review process, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform consulted with each individual Department  requesting submission documents outlining capital pressures over the next 6/7 years.

On foot of this, Departments and agencies with sectoral responsibilities conducted their own detailed assessments of demand requirements to inform their prioritisation of capital expenditure.  This analysis allowed us to craft the Departmental allocations going forward to ensure funding is focussed where it is needed most in order to protect economic recovery and meet social needs.

The scale and profile of the Exchequer component of the Capital Plan was developed with reference to the Government's medium term economic growth forecasts and is fully consistent with Ireland's fiscal targets over the coming years.  This marks a step change in the Government's capital investment policy setting a course for a return to the normal, long run capital investment levels required to meet social needs and sustain a modern, growing open economy.

Both our national and European fiscal rules are designed to ensure that growth in public expenditure reflects the underlying strength and output capacity of the economy, thus enabling the public finances to progress towards a structurally-balanced budget over the medium term.  

It is important to note that while my Department is responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments, the management and delivery of individual capital investments within the overall Capital Investment Programme, and the timescales over which they are to be delivered, is the responsibility of each relevant individual Minister and Department.  

Finally, as is normal in a programme of this length, there will be a Mid-Term Review, which will take stock of progress to date and provide the Government with an opportunity to reaffirm priority projects. This Review will also provide the Government with an opportunity to consider the scope for increased levels of investment, should Ireland's economic growth and fiscal progress exceed the present forecasts and make this possible.

The Deputy may wish to note that all Departmental capital review submission documents will be made available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform website shortly.