James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the potential investment projects regarding education, research, development and innovation his Department has submitted to the Department of Finance for the European Fund for Strategic Investment. [26228/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I should begin by pointing out it is the Department of Finance - rather than my Department  - that is the lead Government Department in relation to European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) or European Investment Bank (EIB) matters.  My Department does not coordinate applications for funding from EFSI or EIB, neither is it responsible for reporting on lending by EFSI or EIB to Ireland nor does it have any direct role in the submission of projects to EIB or EFSI for support. 

Where the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) advise that EIB or EFSI support for a project should be sought, it is the responsibility of individual Departments, in the first instance, to pursue such proposals.  This usually involves negotiations by the NDFA with EIB or EFSI on behalf of the Department in question.

I understand that the EIB is involved in financing a number of projects included in the Capital Plan including the Luas Cross City project; the redevelopment of Dublin Port; €200m support for investment in 71 Irish schools; and the N25 New Ross bypass.  I also understand that information on projects approved by EFSI, by country, is available on the website of the EIB at http://www.eib.europa.eu/efsi/efsi-projects/index.htm?c=IE&se=.  However, as I have already outlined, my Department is not responsible for negotiating these loans with the EIB or for submitting them to the Department of Finance or the EIB for support.  

Finally, I should also take the opportunity to clarify 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.