€750m cut from capital spending
Ministers met yesterday to agree final figures which are expected to see major rail and road projects cancelled or put on hold.
“It is a significant but robust capital programme in the context of the challenges we face,” a government spokesman last night said. “We can’t do everything and we have to decide what is the most important.”
Projects such as Metro North and the Luas interconnector are expected to be left out of next year’s spending, with the focus instead on health, education and jobs.
The previous government’s large spend on roads and infrastructure is expected to be rolled back, with suggestions of up to nearly €180m in cuts expected for transport.
Other areas expected to make up the €750m savings will be on reductions for social housing, water treatment and flood defences.
“Larger projects won’t be going ahead,” a department source confirmed.
Justice will also take a hit, with the long-awaited Thornton Hall prison in north Dublin expected to be put on hold. Talk that resources for science-related projects would be delayed were not confirmed.
“We will prioritise schools, health and jobs,” said a department source.
Sinn Féin last night asked for clarity around the cuts to transport and how spending reductions may affect employees in the Rail Procurement Agency and National Transport Authority.
“Not only does this mean there will be no job stimulus through Metro North or other projects, but now we have the added worry of job insecurity for those currently working,” said transport spokesman Dessie Ellis.
“The minister needs to set these peoples’ minds at ease and make a clear declaration that he aims to invest in jobs and not put more people on the dole queue.”
Meanwhile, the Government will spend in excess of €2.2m this year on paper payslips for employees.
Information supplied to Independent TD Denis Naughten shows that the highest cost is in education.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
