Ibec calls for budget boost for infrastructure

Michael Noonan is being urged to spend big on transport, schools and telecoms to help close the gap between the roaring Dublin economy and less vibrant regions.

The Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation (Ibec) says that the economy now needs an annual €2.5bn to be spent on infrastructure if growth is to be sustained and prosperity is to be secured. The business group says that the long years of cutbacks on capital spending have taken their toll.

In a pre-budget submission, Ibec says capital spending plans are not enough to meet the needs of an economy now growing.