Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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143. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital projects that have secured funding from the European Investment Bank or the Juncker investment fund during the lifetime of the Government. [10847/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I should begin by pointing out that my Department is not the lead Department in relation to EFSI or EIB matters, nor has my Department responsibility for coordinating applications for funding from EFSI or EIB, or for reporting on lending by EFSI or EIB to Ireland.  However, I understand information on projects approved by EFSI, by country, is available on the website of the EIB at www.eib.europa.eu/efsi/efsi-projects/index.htm?c=IE&se.

I should also make clear that, while EIB funding may help in reducing the cost of finance for some projects, it will not increase the overall envelope available to Government for capital expenditure due to the need to continue to comply with the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact.  In that context, owing to the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the public finances and the contribution of sustainable public finances to long-term growth potential, clear prioritisation of sectors and capital projects remains as the central concern in infrastructure planning under the review of the Capital Plan which is currently underway.

I understand that the EIB is involved in financing some projects included in the Capital Plan. The decision to avail of EIB financing for such projects is based on the expert advice of the NTMA based on the specific financial profile and characteristics of the project concerned.  As such my Department does not monitor or report on the use of such financing. However, I am aware of the following projects availing of EIB financing:

- the Luas Cross City project; 

- the redevelopment of Dublin Port;

- €200m support for investment in 71 Irish schools; and

- the N25 New Ross bypass.

In relation to the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), or the Juncker Fund as it is commonly referred to, this is the joint initiative of the EIB Group and the European Commission aimed at mobilising private financing for strategic investments, mainly through loan funding.  In Ireland's case, the main potential beneficiaries of EFSI are likely to be commercial investment projects, including PPPs, and indeed  EFSI funding is being provided for the Primary Care Centres PPP project.  There is little or no scope to use EFSI funding to increases public capital investment, due to the need to continue to comply with the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact.