Written Answers Nos. 1-23
9. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the economy continues to benefit from public sector and general reform over the past number of years; if he expects the benefits from such reforms to continue to accrue into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33310/15]
View answerPublic Service Reform was a key element of the Government's response to the crisis and continues to be an essential part of our strategy for recovery. The reforms we have implemented have enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of necessary reductions in staff numbers and budgets, and at a time of increased demand for public services.
Significant progress has been made since the publication of the Government's first Public Service Reform Plan in 2011. Staff numbers have been reduced by around 10% since 2008 and the pay bill has been reduced by over 20%. Other reforms include changes to terms and conditions such as reduced sick leave entitlements and additional working hours. In addition to the reduced cost of the Public Service and improved productivity, reform is also delivering benefits across a range of specific areas such as digital government, shared services, procurement reform and property management.
A second Public Service Reform Plan (2014-2016) was published in January 2014. While maintaining an emphasis on efficiency and reducing costs, this Plan puts a particular focus on improved service delivery and achieving better outcomes. The actions set out in the Reform Plan address areas such as: greater use of shared services and innovative approaches to service delivery; increased use of technology and improved engagement with service users; more efficient and effective public procurement; increased accountability and transparency in public decision making; enhanced leadership and performance management; and a continued focus on building the required capacity to deliver reform. A comprehensive Progress Report on the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016 was published in March of this year and can be seen on my Department's website.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Taoiseach and I published a Civil Service Renewal Plan in October last year. The implementation of this ambitious three year plan will lead to major changes right across the Civil Service. A Progress Report, outlining the significant progress achieved in the first 200 days, was published in July and is also available on my Department's website.
Public Service Reform will remain a key element of our ongoing recovery strategy. Overall, I am satisfied that we have made significant progress to date and that the benefits of these reforms will continue to accrue into the future. The scale of reform that we have delivered could not have happened without the efforts and commitment of our public servants and I commend them for their contribution.
12. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the manner in which European Union and national expenditure rules will impact on Budget 2016 and the public finances generally; if he expects any amendment to the way in which these rules will be applied in practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33414/15]
View answerThe budgetary reforms introduced at national level, including the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, operate within the broader context of the reforms at EU level to the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP).
Ireland is currently subject to the corrective arm of the SGP. While in the corrective arm the key budgetary objective is to bring the deficit each year below the limit set under the Excessive Deficit Procedure. This Government has achieved this key target each year and, as outlined in the Spring Economic Statement (SES), Ireland is on track to exit the corrective arm of the SGP at the end of 2015 with a General Government Deficit of 2.3%. This is well below the limit of 2.9% under the Excessive Deficit Procedure.
Budget 2016 will therefore be framed under the rules that apply under the preventive arm of the SGP that will require Ireland to adhere to an adjustment path towards the Medium Term Objective (MTO). Until the MTO is reached, a minimum annual structural improvement of greater 0.5 per cent of GDP is required. Compliance with the preventive arm is also assessed by reference to the Expenditure Benchmark. The Expenditure Benchmark links the year on year growth in expenditure to the potential growth rate of the economy.
As set out on page 34 of the SES, following discussions with the European Commission, there has been clarification on the application of the Expenditure Benchmark that is positive from an Irish perspective, with a marginal benefit in terms of fiscal space for 2016 equivalent to 0.4% of GDP.
The SES outlined that fiscal space of the order of €1.2 billion to €1.5 billion is available for Budget 2016, which affords the scope to increase Government expenditure by €750 million between 2015 and 2016.
Compliance with the fiscal rules under the preventive arm of the SGP, will ensure that Ireland's public finances are kept on a sustainable path, with revenues sufficient to support spending. The challenge will remain to prioritise and design Government interventions within this framework.
13. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made on the provision of funding to the natural environment, specifically from the National Lottery, as set out in 2013; when he expects the first disbursement will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33308/15]
View answerThe National Lottery provides funds for "Good Causes" in accordance with the National Lottery Act 2013. The areas to be funded are set out under section 41 (1) of the National Lottery Act as follows:
- sport and recreation;
- national culture and heritage (including the Irish language);
- the arts (within the meaning of the Arts Act 2003);
- health of the community;
- youth, welfare and amenities; and
- the natural environment (added in the 2013 Act).
The Act also provides that the proceeds may be applied to such (if any) other purposes as the Government may determine from time to time.
A breakdown by Department of all the expenditure areas that are supported by the proceeds of the National Lottery is set out in Appendix 1 of the annual Revised Estimates for Public Services (available at http://www.per.gov.ie/estpubexp2013/).
Funding is provided by the Oireachtas, in accordance with the Act, through expenditure subheads which form part of Departmental Programmes. For over a decade, the total allocation for these subheads has exceeded the amount available from the National Lottery. These subheads are described as being part-funded by the National Lottery and the balance of the expenditure allocation for the subheads comes from normal Exchequer sources (e.g. tax revenue or borrowing). All expenditure under these sub-heads, including that funded by the Lottery, counts towards the Government's expenditure ceiling in the year in question.
The 2013 Act provided for a new area the Natural Environment to be added to the list of categories that may be funded by the Lottery. It is open to relevant Departments (e.g. the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government or the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht) to make a proposal to my Department for Lottery funding for a project or programme relevant to this new area. Should an application be received, it will be considered in the context of the level of funds available for Good Causes in the relevant year as well as the Government's overall expenditure ceiling.
While, to date, moneys from the National Lottery Fund have not been disbursed to this area, it is important to note that the Government already provides significant funding to the Environment Sector, e.g. the Environment Fund and through the Vote of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
14. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update in relation to the 1916 commemoration projects with which the Office of Public Works is involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33415/15]
View answerAs I have previously indicated to the Deputy, the Commissioners of Public Works have a particular role in relation to the Commemorations plans that arises from the responsibility they have for the care and maintenance of National Monuments and certain other Heritage properties in State care. These are, in many cases, iconic locations and important in the context of the forthcoming Commemorations.
The Commissioners also have an operational role in relation to supporting the various planned official Commemorations events with logistical support and organisation which is derived from their long experience at similar events and this will be an important element of work for them throughout 2016. Logistical support for the various official projects is ongoing. OPW has delivered a number of key State events recently, including the O'Donovan Rossa commemoration and the State funeral for Thomas Kent for example, with planning well underway for the remainder.
The following are the details of the various plans and projects with which the OPW is involved through these various roles.
|
Site |
Details |
|
Kilmainham Gaol |
· Development of new Visitor Centre at the former Kilmainham Courthouse (Complete early 2016) · Restoration of the roof of the East Wing at the Gaol (Complete) |
|
St Enda's / Pearse Museum, Rathfarnham |
· Programme of restoration of the l8th/l9th century follies dotted around the Park which were used by Pearse in the staging of dramatic pageants. (Complete) · Continuation of the programme of exhibitions and events underway since approx 2010 at the Pearse Museum and Park at Rathfarnham. (Ongoing) · Permanent exhibition on the life of Pearse. (Complete 2016) |
|
Arbour Hill |
· Essential restoration and necessary works to the site (works to start onsite shortly; complete by end 2015) |
|
Garden of Remembrance |
· Universal Access works (works underway; complete by end 2015); · Conservation works at the Children of Lir statue (conservation works to begin immediately). |
|
Pearse Cottage |
· Provision, by Údaras na Gaeltachta, of a new Visitor Facility and Cultural Centre at Pearse Cottage site (which is Managed by the OPW), including a new Exhibition. · Programme of new Universal access works at the Pearse Cottage. |
|
Mac Diarmada Homestead |
· Major structural / roof renewal / thatching project in 2013. · Leitrim Co Council planning the development of a carpark at the Mac Diarmada site; · Visitor Facility provided in nearby Kiltyclogher by local volunteer Group with OPW support. |
|
National Concert Hall |
· Refurbishment of Kevin Barry Room to be completed in March 2016. Related access routes to be completed during 2016. |
15. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the discussions he has had with the Department of Finance in relation to the proposed 50:50 ratio of tax cuts to public services investment in advance of the upcoming budget; his views that this constitutes the most effective use of public moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33312/15]
View answerThe fiscal adjustment required to bring sustainability to the public finances required both significant expenditure reductions and tax increases.
For Budget 2016 the Spring Economic Statement (SES) outlined that fiscal space of the order of €1.2 to €1.5 billion will be available in Budget 2016, and that the Government has decided to split this evenly between expenditure increases and tax reductions. This will allow the Government to encourage further economic growth, increase investment in public services, and reduce the tax burden for low and middle income earners.
This 2016 budgetary approach reflects the strategy of Government to marry the objectives of encouraging economic growth while increasing the resources available to deliver quality public services. An approach that looks to create the right conditions for growth in employment through progressive taxation, appropriate regulation and targeted investment can ensure that there are sufficient resources available to deliver effective public services for our citizens.
In relation to future years, decisions regarding the division of fiscal space between tax and expenditure measures will be taken in the relevant estimates cycle. Such decisions will take account of the prevailing economic conditions and Government's commitments to investing in public infrastructure and services.
16. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the priorities in his capital expenditure statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33081/15]
View answerYesterday, I announced the publication of "Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021". The Capital Plan sets out the Government's commitment to Exchequer investment of €27 billion over the six-year period 2016-2021 across a number of key priorities.
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. It also involves €3.6bn for Public Transport, including a new Metro link in Dublin.
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 to deliver major infrastructural projects such as the new National Children's Hospital.
The Plan also announces the development of a new 3rd Phase of the Government's PPP programme with about €500 million of PPP projects.
In addition, over the period of the Capital Plan, the wider State sector plans to invest €14½ billion in capital projects. This will principally be undertaken by the commercial State-owned companies. These will lead to about €42 billion of State backed investment in capital projects.
The Exchequer funded Plan will support some 45,000 construction related jobs and protect our economic recovery and competitiveness.
It is a National programme that will also provide a commitment to rollout Broadband in rural areas, investment via the Rural Development Programme, and a new Village Renewal Scheme. We will respond to climate change by investing more resources in energy efficiency, Forestry Programmes, increasing flood mitigation works.
We will also make investments in the Justice Sector including investment in necessary ICT infrastructure and in the Garda fleet to support Garda reform and deliver an effective and modern policing service.
The resources are targeted where infrastructural improvements are most required. The plan has been designed to underpin and build on our economic recovery.
17. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage of supplies and services public contracts that have been awarded to micro-enterprises which collaborated on a public sector tender through a joint bidding or consortium formation, year-on-year over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33409/15]
View answerThe national platform for the management of tendering, eTenders, which is managed by the OGP, does not collect data relating to consortia or joint bids as part of the tendering process. Directive 2014/24/EU published by Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on February 26th 2014 which is yet to be transposed in to Irish Law, instructs that information on whether contracts are awarded to a group of economic operators (joint venture, consortium or other) is to be captured. It is intended that eTenders platform will have the capability to capture this data.
Since late 2013 the OGP has undertaken a significant business intelligence exercise to analyse the national state spend and tendering activities. As the Deputy is aware, a ground-breaking report was published earlier this year by the OGP which analysed 2013 spend and tendering activity from 64 large public service bodies across thousands of account codes relating to almost 4 million payment transactions. Over 35,000 suppliers were classified by size using data from Dun & Bradstreet, Irish Times, eTenders, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and SoloCheck.ie. However for the majority of businesses full data was not available and for the majority of likely "micro" businesses no data at all was publicly available. Where no classification data was available (accounting for 14% of the spend data collected), these suppliers were excluded from the analysis.
Much effort has been made by the OGP to communicate with Suppliers asking them to update their business profiles in eTenders (the national tendering platform www.eTenders.gov.ie) with accurate business profile data so it can expand and improve the classification methodology. Until more data is available the OGP will not be able to report specifically on micro-enterprises.
The OGP consistently promotes the inclusion of SMEs in public tendering activities and as part of Circular 10/14 issued last year SMEs are encouraged to consider using consortia where they are not of sufficient scale to tender in their own right. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has also issued guidance for companies in this regard. Template tender and contract documents allow for consortia to tender for public procurement opportunities.
The OGP issued a report titled "Public Service Spend and Tendering Analysis for 2013" and the positive news for Irish businesses and for SMEs is that the data indicates
- 93% of public service expenditure is with businesses in the Republic of Ireland;
- 66% of public service expenditure is with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), ranging from high levels of SME success in areas such as Plant Hire (98%), Laboratory and Diagnostic Equipment (87%) and Minor Building and Civils Works (85%) to low levels in areas such as Utilities (24%) and Medical, Surgical and Pharmaceutical Supplies (38%).
18. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consideration he has given to the inclusion of a social clause in capital public procurement projects to the value of €1 million or more. [33411/15]
View answerThe Government supports the use of social clauses in a manner which can address issues such as social exclusion, long term unemployment or provide enhanced opportunities through the provision of training.
Whilst the Government is convinced of the merit in using social clauses in particular circumstances, it is important that contracting authorities are not compelled to use them on every contract particularly where their deployment may disproportionately impact on SME's bidding for public contracts. They are used to best effect in a targeted fashion to tackle the identified causes of inequity or deprivation.
In order to ensure that social clauses do not discriminate, it is best to use general categories of beneficiary (e.g. long-term unemployed, trainees, young people) and then target the social benefits through 'supply-side' activities (e.g. training and job-matching services). Targeted social clauses are likely to be most effective in cases where they are actively supported by supply-side actions and by good monitoring and evaluation processes taken by the Department or Agency with the relevant policy remit. The inclusion of social clauses represents additional costs to the State and suppliers in meeting the requirements and demonstrating and verifying compliance. It is imperative that such provisions
- are enforced and independently verified;
- do not adversely affect value for money;
- do not place additional costs on domestic suppliers relative to other potential suppliers, and;
- are only applied to contracts of a minimum scale so that they do not disadvantage SMEs.
Unemployment in the construction sector increased since the economic crisis first hit mirroring the decline in activity. In response, Government set out a range of actions in Construction 2020 aimed at increasing activity and has introduced a number of stimulus packages to increase activity and employment in the sector. Social clauses are included in the various contracts that are awarded under the PPP element of the €2.25bn package announced in July 2012. These clauses require a minimum percentage of the time required to deliver the contract to be undertaken by those recruited from the ranks of the long term unemployed and apprentices.
The operation of this clause has already been successfully piloted and local Intreo offices have worked closely with the appointed contractors to support the pilot initiative.
The OGP is currently developing guidance for my consideration in including social clauses more broadly in tender and contract documentation.
19. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the implementation of Ireland's first Open Government Partnership national action plan across the three main areas of promoting open data and transparency, building citizen participation and strengthening governance and accountability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33327/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Ireland became a full member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in July 2014 following the publication of its first National Action Plan 2014-2016. There are 26 commitments in the Plan which span the following three core areas:
1. Open Data and Transparency
2. Fostering citizen participation/more active citizenship
3. Strengthening governance and accountability
Membership of the OGP requires governments to submit annual Self-Assessment Reports assessing performance in meeting the commitments in the OGP National Action Plans.
I recently published for consultation, prior to finalisation and submission to the OGP Support Unit internationally, Ireland's first self-assessment report.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the first year review shows that excellent progress has been made in implementing the Plan across each of the main areas with 9 actions already fully completed, 13 substantially completed and only 4 with limited progress. I am particularly pleased that the areas under my own remit on Open Data, legislative reforms and a number of key actions around citizen engagement are very substantially progressed.
In relation to Open Data completed actions include establishment of a Technical Framework meeting best practice standards and development of an Open Data portal. The establishment of an Open Data Governance Board is well advanced.
In relation to citizen participation, completed actions include development of new public consultation guidelines in line with best practice internationally, early engagement in the legislative process, Public Participation Networks have been established at local government level, the first Strategy on children and young people's participation in decision-making has been developed and other actions are well advanced.
In relation to strengthening governance and accountability, a number of legislative reforms have been introduced including the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, and the Lobbying Regulation 2015.
I am confident that the various actions will achieve greater transparency and accountability, help improve public services, and enable valuable contributions to decision-making, all of which are extremely important to the functioning of government institutions and ultimately economic growth and social progress.
20. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consideration he has given to transposing the new European Union procurement directives into Irish Law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33412/15]
View answerOn 28 March, 2014, the European Commission published three new Directives as a collective reform of the existing EU regime for public procurement under the existing provisions of Directive 2004/17/EU - co-ordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and Directive 2004/18/EU - on the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts.
The new Directives referred to by the Deputy are:
2014/23/EU - on the award of concession contracts
2014/24/EU- on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EU
2014/25/EU - on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC.
The bulk of the new public procurement suite of Directives are mandatory for all Member States to implement into national law. The Directives will be transposed by Statutory Instrument and I intend to adhere as closely as possible to the wording and intent across the Directives to provide maximum flexibility for procurers.
These Directives do provide a number of policy choices for Member States. In this regard, the Office of Government Procurement, which is under the aegis of my Department, has conducted both an internal consultation and a public consultation process. The public consultation process was initiated at the end of October 2014 and 43 submissions were received by end January 2015, including submissions by representative bodies such as ICTU, IBEC and Enterprise Ireland.
I understand that the Office of Government Procurement has submitted a draft memorandum to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to allow the commencement of drafting of the Statutory Instrument transposing Directive 2014/24/EU.
It is expected that the transposition of the public procurement, utilities and concessions Directives into Irish law will be completed by April 2016.
The principal approach to transposing the new procurement regime as set out in the new Directives has been to retain the flexibilities provided for in the Directives in order to ensure that Ireland is not disadvantaged in any aspect of public procurement relative to other Member States.
21. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reform the performance measurement system in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33078/15]
View answerMy Department has engaged in an ongoing review and reform of the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) on in the civil service. A particular priority has been to address significant weaknesses in the performance management system overall. These include the extremely low proportion of serious underperformance identified and the high proportion of personnel who are awarded high ratings as well as a significant lack of consistency in the distribution of ratings across different civil service Departments and Offices.
In 2011 and 2012, changes introduced to PMDS, included:
- simplification of the system
- award of a low rating to managers who do not manage the performance of their staff
- a grade-based competency framework
- revised ratings with improved descriptions of performance
- a rating of 'Fully Achieved Expectations' required for the award of an increment.
In 2014, the ePMDS electronic system was launched. An eProbation system to manage the performance of new entrants is currently being developed.
Following Government approval for the Civil Service Renewal Plan responsibility for the reform and strengthening of performance management in the civil service resides with the Civil Service Management Board (CSMB) composed of Secretaries-General of Government Departments and Heads of Civil Service Offices and subject to the oversight of the Civil Service Accountability Board.
The CSMB is proposing a number of important reforms to PMDS. These include the introduction of a two-point rating system - in which performance will be assessed to be either acceptable or not acceptable - to replace the current complex five-point scale that has not proved successful at differentiating between different performance standards.
Alongside the new ratings system, the adoption of a sharper focus on the developmental objectives of PMDS through the integration of performance management with learning and development to support ongoing improvements in performance of all civil servants and the provision of greater supports for managers to identify and address serious underperformance in a small number of staff.
I look forward to the early introduction of these proposals following consultation with staff representatives, as appropriate.
22. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of full-time equivalent public servants at the end of 2014; the estimated number at the end of 2015 and for 2016, his views on public sector recruitment generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33418/15]
View answerFor the number of full-time equivalent public servants at end 2014, I would refer the Deputy to the Databank on my Department's website, at databank.per.gov.ie, which shows an outturn of 289,643 at end year. For 2015, provision was made in the Budget for just over 292,000 public servants, on a full-time equivalent basis. Further information on the departmental breakdown of this provision is set out in the 2015 Revised Estimates, which again is available on my Department's website. With regard to staffing and recruitment levels for 2016, these matters will fall to be considered in the context of Budget 2016.
On the general issues of public service recruitment, there has been a considerable level of recruitment across the public service in 2015, especially in the Health and Education sectors and in An Garda Síochána. So far this year, 200 Garda Trainees have been recruited, with a further 150 planned to commence before year end. Over 2,700 new staff have being recruited into the Health sector during the first half of this year, and in the Education sector there will be 900 more teachers, 830 more Special Needs Assistants and 570 more Resource Teachers by the end of this year compared with 2014.
At the broader policy level, the Deputy will recall that at Budget time last October I also announced an end to the Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion in the Public Service, to be replaced with new delegated management arrangements to be phased in during 2015 and 2016. These arrangements, which now apply to most Government departments, give managers the means to respond to service needs as they arise, including considerable flexibility to make staffing and service level delivery decisions at the front line.
These new arrangements represent a significant shift away from the central control of the Moratorium and allow Departments greater management of its staffing resources.
23. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which, following the Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements, he and his Department have examined the possibility of approval for prudent and strategic expenditure, with a view to addressing those areas most severely affected by curtailments during the economic downturn; given the need to maximise the opportunities in the future and to consolidate economic gains to date, if investment will be made in infrastructure, such as the M7 Naas-Newbridge-Sallins bypass upgrade, an enhanced local authority housing programme; if education and health services can be facilitated along with a restoration of incomes in some form for the general public, in recognition of the sacrifices made since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33309/15]
View answerEarlier 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.
