Public Expenditure & Reform Minister, Brendan Howlin and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney were in Cork last week  to highlight the benefits of the Government’s capital investment programme, Building on Recovery, for the Cork and Kerry area.  Ministers Jimmy Deenihan, Kathleen Lynch, Dara Murphy and Sean Sherlock were also at the event in the Irish Marine Energy Resource Cluster (IMERC), which is one of the projects being funded under the programme with a €25 million funding commitment to support jobs, and urban renewal and regeneration in the area.

Minister Howlin said:

The Government’s €42 billion framework for infrastructure investment in Ireland over the period 2016 to 2021 is a sensible, responsible plan to make affordable, sustainable investments that boost the productive capacity of our economy, improve public services and lay the foundations for future growth.  For Cork and Kerry, this means providing vital facilities for people in the form of roads, schools, health care, housing and policing, as well as investing capital spending to strengthen the environment for job creation.  The plan itself will support an estimated 45,000 construction jobs.

Minister Coveney said:

The Government’s capital investment programme for Cork demonstrates our determination to build the necessary infrastructure in Cork so we can continue to grow economic opportunities and jobs.  The funding announced for major road projects, including the Dunkettle interchange and the N28, are a reflection of the Government’s ambition for growth and investment in the Cork area and will be welcome news for people living in Cork’s commuter towns.  Major projects like €30 million for the building of a new Pairc Ui Chaoimh, €12 million for the city’s Events Centre and €25 million for IMERC projects will also be funded in the new capital plan.

Minister Deenihan said:

The Government’s plan to invest in infrastructure will lead to better services for the people of  Kerry with nine new major school projects announced for construction, a €62 million investment in social housing and the Government’s commitment to increasing the number of Gardai and Garda cars, as well as the refurbishment of Tralee Garda Station.  A project that is close to my own heart is the Kerry Sports Academy at IT Tralee which has received €7 million in funding under this plan.  Major road projects, like the Dingle relief road and the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom, which have been long called for, are included in this plan too and this will be a great boost to business and tourism.