Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed the announcement by the Government of a €2.25 billion domestic infrastructure stimulus programme which is designed to give the economy a boost and create much needed jobs in Cork and across the country.
“I am delighted with today’s announcement which will pump €2.25 billion into the Irish economy, making significant investments in roads and schools across the country and creating 13,000 jobs.
“Today’s announcement represents an important investment in our future through the provision of top class educational facilities, reform of our healthcare facilities and enhancing our roads which will improve travel and help to transport people and goods more safely and efficiently.
“In the transport sector, €850 million will be invested in upgrading the national motorway and primary route network. Ireland’s financial difficulties in recent years have made it very difficult to successfully award any major Public Private Partnership (PPP) contracts, with the result that numerous projects were stalled. Today’s announcement breaks this deadlock and allows us to move forward with a number of our priority transport projects, including the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam, the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy, the N25 New Ross Bypass, the N11/N7 Arklow to Rathnew and Newlands Cross, and the Galway City Outer Bypass.
“In the education sector, €280 million will be invested in building 12 new or replacement schools as well as consolidating Dublin Institute of Technology into one single educational facility at Grangegorman. This development also represents an opportunity for substantial development and rejuvenation of an important inner city urban quarter in Dublin.
“In the health sector, €155 million will be invested in building up to 20 Primary Care Centres across the country with more to follow. Developing the network of Primary Care Centres is a key component of the Programme for Government to reform the health service, providing an essential point of contact for people who need access to health services in the years ahead.
“In the justice sector, €190 million will be invested in the State Pathology Laboratory, two new Garda divisional headquarters and a number of courthouses. Refurbishment and extension works to existing courthouses will be carried out in Cork, Mullingar and Waterford and new courthouse buildings will be provided in Drogheda, Letterkenny, Limerick and Wexford.
“The projects included in this package will be delivered through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) securing value for money for the Exchequer while delivering on projects that will significantly benefit towns and cities across the country. Creating jobs is this Government’s number one priority and I look forward to seeing the benefits today’s announcement brings to Cork.”