Transport

€27 billion Capital Investment Plan Building on Recovery – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Communications, Dáil Éireann, Education, Finance, Health, Tourism, Transport, Wicklow - East Carlow

Fine Gael TD, for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, has said that the Capital Investment Plan, which will see €27 billion invested in roads, rail, health facilities, schools and broadband over six years, will make a major difference for communities, both from an economic and socio-economic standpoint here in Wicklow.

“The Capital Investment Plan sets out the Government’s long-term investment plan where €27 billion will be spent on vital services, schools and on roads, improving travel times, make the roads safer and make Wicklow more attractive to businesses.

“In addition to investment in roads, the Capital Investment Plan will also see considerable investment in Garda stations and Garda resources across the country, as well as a €10 million refurbishment programme for the courts service. It is also proposed €275 million would be set aside for the National Broadband Plan which is a priority for this Government and which would be hugely beneficial to Wicklow businesses and families.

“There will also be an investment of €300 million in the upgrading of residential facilities around the country. This will have a very real impact for older people and for those with disabilities living in residential care.

“An additional €390 million will be allocated over the six year period towards education to install wireless networks in all schools, invest in ICT and to replace pre-fabs. Third level facilities, including some institutes of technologies will receive €110 million.

“The Plan announced by Government is affordable, sensible and it is consistent with our plan to eliminate borrowing by 2018. It will promote regional economic growth, supporting 45,000 construction jobs over the lifetime of the plan.

“The decisions taken by this Government have brought us to an important time in our recovery. We are the fastest growing economy in Europe and we are creating over 1,300 new jobs a week. This plan will help spread the recovery around the country where we know many families have yet to feel the effects of the recovery.

“The projects committed to are very much dependent on the choices that this Government and the next make to continue the recovery. We could not afford everything we wanted, but this plan represents the best of what can be delivered with the available resources. We must continue to make the right choices and invest wisely to ensure we never go back to the bad old days of boom and bust. Better infrastructure is another pillar of a better Ireland. Better roads, rail links, schools, health facilities and broadband – all of these make our communities better and our economy stronger”

 

ENDS

 

 

Fine Gael is standing up for rural Ireland – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Agriculture, Communications, Education, Environment, Jobs Enterprise Innovation, Tourism, Transport, Wicklow - East Carlow

CJz1A0VWsAA66Ih“Fine Gael is standing up for rural Ireland and working hard to spread the fruits of the economic recovery across the country, which will benefit Wicklow and Carlow,” according to Fine Gael TD Andrew Doyle. Deputy Doyle was speaking after the Taoiseach, launched Fine Gael’s campaign “Standing up for Rural Ireland” today (Friday).

“While nationally the economic recovery is well underway, Fine Gael is working to ensure we spread the benefits to every town and village, parish and home across rural Ireland and this of course includes Wicklow and Carlow.

“Job creation has been the absolute priority of this Government. Nationally over 100,000 jobs have been created since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs but Fine Gael recognises the potential of rural Ireland and we know that we can support more new businesses to set up and support existing businesses to employ more people. In Wicklow the Live Register has decreased by 15% since the launch of our Action Plan for Jobs in 2012. Across Carlow the drop has been 11%.

“The agri-food sector is a big part of this recovery and it is thriving once again. The new CAP deal negotiated under the Irish Presidency of the EU will see 60,000 farmers receive an increase in payments and the €4 billion Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will develop the economic and social fabric of rural communities.

“A key part of growing economies in rural Ireland is broadband. Since this Government came into office high speed broadband was only available to 300,000 homes in Ireland. That figure has grown to well over a million homes. That is a major jump but we were coming from a very low base. My colleagues and I in the Fine Gael parliamentary party want to see dedicated funding put in place to ensure universal next generation broadband coverage is fully delivered as soon as possible. Broadband is a key driver in continuing to grow and support rural Ireland. That is why we need to see dedicated funding to back up the National Broadband plan.”