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Cabinet should approve €2bn stimulus package

The Cabinet is expected to approve a €2bn stimulus package of investment in infrastructure at its meeting this morning.

Among the projects likely to be funded is the new Grangegorman campus for the Dublin Institute of Technology.

There is a packed agenda for the penultimate Cabinet meeting before the summer break with ministers expected to give final approval to the stimulus package, which will see extra investment in infrastructure aimed at creating the maximum number of jobs.

Details are to be announced at a news conference this afternoon attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore as well as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin.

The broad outline is known though - funding will come from a variety of sources, including the Pension Reserve Fund, future sales of State assets, and public private partnerships funded by the European Investment Bank.

Schools, primary health care facilities and roads are likely to be funded, as well as the new DIT campus at Grangegorman.

It is not now expected that this morning's meeting will deal with a memorandum on tackling alcohol abuse, prepared by Minister of State Roisin Shortall, elements of which have been opposed by some Fine Gael ministers.

RTE