Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

118. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which current expenditure levels are likely to impact on capital expenditure requirements in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40733/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

122. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to be in a position to allow the various capital projects already announced to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40737/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

127. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which his Department can facilitate capital expenditure under various headings with particular reference to addressing infrastructural deficits thus generating great employment and providing a basis for future economic development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40743/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 122 and 127 together.

Both current and capital expenditure levels for 2018 will be published in the Revised Estimates for Public Services. All Departments will provide profiles for how this expenditure will be allocated across the year. 

As set out in the Summer Economic Statement 2017, published in July, the Government will invest a further €4.1 billion in key infrastructure supporting economic and social progress over the period 2018-2021. This is in addition to the extra €2.2b in Exchequer funding already allocated to housing under Rebuilding Ireland.

Consequently between 2014 and 2021 public capital expenditure in Ireland will have more than doubled and as set out by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, this will see public investment in Ireland moving to among the highest in the EU.

I am satisfied that this new planned level of capital investment represents an appropriate balance between the need for additional investment, the capacity of the economy to deliver additional public infrastructure consistent with fiscal and macroeconomic sustainability and the need to adhere to the responsible spending path agreed by Government with reference to the requirements of the EU Fiscal Rules. 

In the meantime, the delivery of the Capital Plan as published in 2015 is proceeding and while the position in relation to any individual project is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant responsible Minister, the review of the Capital Plan which I published on 14 September, includes an update for each Department setting out the progress already being made in delivering the Capital Plan. A copy of the Review has been supplied to all Deputies. My Department also published a major projects tracker, providing an update on progress on all significant projects and programmes with a value in excess of €20m.