Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2015
60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to be in a position, in the course of the next year, to address the increased expenditure requirements, where infrastructural deficits have been identified, which may require capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6218/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that my Department commenced a review of the Public Capital Programme in 2014. The purpose of the review is to refresh the Government's existing investment strategy and set a new multi-annual capital envelope which addresses critical infrastructure needs and is in line with emerging Government priorities.
As part of the Estimates process, and informed by the capital review, Government has made decisions on the capital allocations for the period 2015 to 2017. These were set out in Budget 2015 with some technical adjustments and minor revisions made in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2015 (REV 2015). The new ceilings include increased expenditure for Social Housing, Transport, Education and Health in order to address infrastructure requirements in those areas.
It is a matter for individual Ministers and their Departments to decide the specific projects and programmes that will be delivered from within these allocations.
The report of the capital review is currently being finalised and I intend to publish it in the coming weeks. It will include the three year ceilings already announced along with new ceilings for the period 2018 to 2020.
