Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
283. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress his Department has made in securing additional funds for infrastructure investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38621/17]
View answer284. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the implementation of the capital plan in 2017 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38622/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government committed to additional capital investment over the period of the Capital Plan to 2021, to be allocated on the basis of the outcome of the review of the Capital Plan. As set out in the Summer Economic Statement 2017, Government will invest a further €4.1 billion in key infrastructure supporting economic and social progress. This is in addition to the extra €2.2 billion in Exchequer funding already allocated to housing under Rebuilding Ireland.
The publication of the report of the review of the Capital Plan is a key milestone in terms of the Government's commitment to increase public capital investment and to maintain and enhance Ireland's public capital stock. The report contains a comprehensive update on public capital investment priorities based on detailed research by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, engagement with all Departments and a public consultation. The review sets out the detailed analysis and evidence which will help inform decisions by Government, in the context of Budget 2018, on the allocation of the additional resources now available for increased public investment.
The report also sets the context for the preparation of a new 10 year National Investment Plan, which will be integrated with, and support the implementation of, the new National Planning Framework.
