Earlier this week, I announced the Government's large scale Exchequer investment programme of €27bn over the period 2016 to 2021. This will increase the State's infrastructure, support economic recovery and jobs, support sustainable communities throughout Ireland and provide modern fit for purpose buildings to deliver services to our citizens.
This investment Programme has been carefully designed to meet the needs of a growing economy and builds on the recovery, addresses emerging pressures especially on transport networks- supports the regions, and provides social infrastructure to enhance quality of life and is responsive to environmental challenges.
In recognition of the importance of transport to our recovery and the large scale investment needed, €10 billion is being provided for transport between 2016 and 2022. This will include €6bn for investment in the national, regional and local road network, which includes the projects referenced by the Deputy. It also involves €3.6bn for Public Transport, including a new metro link in Dublin.
In last year's Budget, we identified Social Housing as a critical area for investment, and over the period 2016 to 2021 capital funding of almost €3 billion will be provided in support of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which aims to increase the supply of social housing by up to 35,000 units.
€3.8 billion is being invested in Education which will enable us to continue to meet growing enrolments at primary and post-primary level, and also to invest in third level facilities.
Over €3 billion is being invested in Health. This will deliver major infrastructural projects such as the new National Children's Hospital, which will be the largest health infrastructure project ever undertaken in Ireland.
Ireland's economic recovery is underway and fiscal choices are now increasing. There will be moderate but steady increases in resource levels over the coming period. However, there are a wide range of competing demands for those funds. On October 13th, I will present the 2016 spending Estimates to the House as part of the Budget with my colleague the Minister for Finance. In line with this Government's previous budgets, Budget 2016 will strike a balance between what is fair and appropriate whilst being mindful of the need to continue to build on the fiscal improvement that we have achieved.
