Ireland to increase capital spending to keep up with recovery

Ireland unveiled a six-year 27 billion-euro ($30 billion) capital investment plan on Tuesday, gradually increasing spending and promising voters rail, broadband and school projects in the run-up to elections. Dublin had to sharply cut its capital budget and postpone major projects under an austerity drive that followed its 2008 financial crisis. It plans to increase it again now that government finances are back under control and the economy growing faster than anywhere in Europe.
It will spend an average of 4.5 billion euros a year until 2021 - compared to an average 3.5 billion a year between 2011 and 2014 - on projects ranging from a rail line linking Dublin airport to the city centre by 2027 and the replacement of ageing schools.