Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2010
151 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the details of the 2009 to 2014 capital expenditure programme envisaged in the latest stability programme update, published alongside budget 2010; if he will be preparing a revised national development plan on the basis of the reduced levels of capital expenditure foreseen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5327/10]
View answerThe budget for 2010 gave details of capital expenditure allocations by Department for 2010. At 5% of gross national product, the 2010 allocation of €6.4 billion is proportionally very high in comparison to levels of capital investment across the EU. The budget also includes a commitment of Exchequer capital investment of over €39 billion for the period 2010-2016.
A review of capital expenditure has been undertaken by the Department of Finance at the request of Government. It takes full account of the severe economic challenges now facing us and the change in circumstances since the launch of the NDP in 2007. The review considers capital priorities for the period out to 2016 and how such expenditure could be prioritised to support economic recovery, sustainable job-creation, immediate employment support, and the Smart/Green economy. These recommendations fed into consideration of the capital allocations for 2010.
The Government is committed to publishing its investment priorities in due course.
