Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017
100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he expects to be in a position to meet the costs associated with addressing infrastructural deficits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31758/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 ongoing mid-term review. As part of the review, submissions were received from Departments and a public consultation process was also undertaken by my Department. Analysis being carried out as part of the review includes an infrastructure capacity and demand analysis which will help inform decisions by Government in the context of Budget 2018 on the allocation of the available resources.
Even with such increases, however, the level of demand for additional capital projects is such that it is unlikely that it will be possible to address all of the demand that exists for additional capital investment when the decisions on the allocation of the additional capital funding are announced later in the year.
To come to a firm view on the scale and composition of infrastructural needs, over the short, medium and long term, a number of important factors need to be considered and analysed. It is also essential that the focus is not solely on the level of investment expenditure, but also that the investments undertaken are efficient and generate the planned and required outputs and outcomes.
It is also important to note the significant increase in public capital expenditure already planned for the period to 2021. In this context the Deputy may be interested to note that the findings of the recent European Commission 2017 Country Report for Ireland which noted that the share of public investment in government expenditure is expected to grow to close to 8.6 % by 2021, up from 5.8 % in 2015, well above the euro area average.
I am satisfied that the approach which is being taken in relation to the review of the Capital Plan will help ensure that our national public infrastructure is maintained and enhanced over the remaining period of the Capital Plan to 2021, and beyond.
