Update: Audit of Deficits in Vital Infrastructure 10th July 2014

QUESTION NO:  202
DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)
by Deputy Bernard J. Durkan
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 09/07/2014 

 To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent, if any to which any audit of deficits in vital infrastructure has been undertaken with a view to identifying major capital works which might have a substantial positive impact on the economy in the event of the availability of appropriate funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
 
REPLY.

My Department is currently undertaking a review of the public capital programme with a view to setting the Government’s investment strategy and capital budget for the five year period ahead.

The last capital review, conducted in 2011, assessed the existing capacity of the country’s infrastructure and identified remaining gaps to be addressed in order to aid economic recovery, social cohesion and environmental sustainability. The review involved a sharp reprioritisation of investment plans in order to make best use of the reduced level of resources available.

While we are in a different position now to where we were when the last capital review was undertaken, we must still match expectations to the level of resources that are realistically available. For this reason the 2014 capital review will seek to refresh the existing investment strategy and ensure that it is in line with emerging Government priorities and continues to focus our limited resources on the areas that can best support continued, sustainable and equitable growth.