Capital expenditure in west must increase as yearly targets 'missed' - TD

A Mayo TD has urged the Taoiseach to increase capital expenditure on infrastructure projects along the western seaboard.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh, the Sinn Féin spokesperson for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said: “Year on year spending targets for capital projects are missed.

"In 2021 the National Development Plan set a target of 5% of GNI to be invested in capital projects for the period 2021-2030.

“We know that this 5% target has not been met in any year.

"In 2021, the NDP was underfunded by almost €1 billion, in 2022 it was underfunded by €2.2 billion. In 2023 by €2.3 billion and in 2024 by €2.4 billion. Neither have budgets been adjusted to account for inflation.

“This underfunding has real implications for infrastructure projects across the state and in particular in my own region in Mayo.

“The Western Rail Corridor hasn’t been completed, there is no rail connectivity to Knock Ireland West Airport and the government has failed to increase grid infrastructure to harness the potential of renewable wind energy on the western seaboard.

“Water and sewerage treatment plants, such as the one in the town of Newport, have not been delivered and the chronic lack of housing is seriously impacting our competitiveness.

“Capital infrastructure spending has the power to generate prosperity.

"In this period of global economic uncertainty, in parallel to negotiations with the US and EU administrations, the government must identify the shovel-ready projects along the Western seaboard that can protect us in the global turmoil and maintain our competitiveness for foreign direct investment and real sustainable growth in our country.”