Written answers

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Capital Expenditure Programme

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the 2017 review of capital spending; if progress been made on the proposed approach to the review; if the proposed extra allocation of €2.5 billion will be affected by recent budgetary adjustments around public service pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36525/16]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is continuing its work on the planning of the Capital Review, the outcome of which is expected to be ready in time for publication alongside the 2017 Mid-Year Expenditure report.

The objective of the Capital Review will be to provide a focused analysis of capital spending and what can realistically be delivered over the remainder of the Plan utilising the additional resources now available. It will take stock of progress to date and the wide range of infrastructure which is already being delivered.  It will also provide the Government with an opportunity to reaffirm priorities and, if necessary, recalibrate investment plans. The key task, however, will be to recommend how the remaining unallocated capital funding should be allocated over the period of the plan, having regard to the priority areas identified in the Government's Programme.

The review will not entail a fundamental revision of the Capital Plan, given the significant analysis that was put into developing the existing Capital Plan, which was of course published just one year ago and the progress in delivery achieved to date.  As would be expected in terms of any review process, the review will take into consideration economic, fiscal and other developments since the Capital Plan was originally agreed by Government.  This will help underpin, the allocation of the additional capital funding resources to where they would be expected to have greatest impact in terms of Government priorities.

It will also be very important to ensure that these allocations are informed by value-for-money considerations in line with the requirements of my Department's Public Spending Code.

Projected capital allocations out to 2021 are as set out in the Estimates for 2017.  As the Deputy will appreciate increased investment in public capital infrastructure has a major role in enhancing the economy's growth potential which underpins the revenue base required to fund priority public services.

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