Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in view of the particular challenges that will arise for areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan due to Brexit, consideration will be given to the provision of additional capital funding for projects in the Border region in the review of the capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8217/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Capital Plan "Building on Recovery", sets out a €42 billion framework to address our priority infrastructure needs up to 2021. This plan is being reviewed to ensure that capital spending is strictly aligned with national economic and social priorities, consistent with Programme for Partnership Government objectives. This includes examining how available capital funds can best be allocated to underpin sustainable medium-term economic growth and future growth potential. 

The review of the Plan will be undertaken in two stages:

Phase 1 is a focused review of priorities aimed primarily at advising Government, in the context of Budget 2018, on how the additional capital funding committed by Government should be allocated over the remainder of the plan.  This will examine priority areas for investment, consistent with the objectives of the existing Capital Plan and the specific investment priorities contained in the Programme for Government.

Phase 2 will assess and report on the framework required to underpin longer term analysis of Ireland's infrastructure planning needs.  In this context, the Deputy may be aware that the Taoiseach, in his recent address to the Institute of European Affairs 'Ireland at the heart of a changing European Union' reaffirmed that the new National Planning Framework for spatial planning due to be finalised later this year will be complemented with a long-term (i.e. 10 year) capital plan.

My Department has recently written to all Departments initiating the review process and has sought submissions, including proposals for any of the additional capital funding available, by end February 2017. A public consultation will also be undertaken to inform the Review. 

It is a matter for each Department to take this opportunity to assess its sectorial capital plan in the light of any factors, such as Brexit, and propose any consequent reprioritisation of resources when making their submission.