Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
432. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the average period of weeks for a major capital project to go through the entire approval gate three process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4241/26]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the Infrastructure Guidelines, which set the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing Exchequer-funded capital projects. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and the national frameworks, including the Infrastructure Guidelines, is a key responsibility of every Department, Accounting Officer and Minister.
The introduction of the Infrastructure Guidelines in 2023 focused on reducing the administrative burden in delivering major capital projects which came as part of the Government’s six priority action to maximise delivery of projects. This was implemented through reducing the number of approval stages and streamlining the requirements for major projects, while retaining international best practice governance and oversight arrangements already in place. This ensures that vital infrastructure projects will be delivered on time and in a manner that ensures value for money through detailed evaluation, appraisal and planning.
The time it takes a major capital project to go through the Approval Gate 3 process can vary. Approval Gate 2 provides approval to commence the process of final detailed design work, procurement, tender evaluation, and final contract negotiations, before seeking consent from Government at Approval Gate 3 to award the contracts. All these external processes can also vary considerably based on the scale and complexity of the project being proposed.
As set out in the Infrastructure Guidelines, an Accounting Officer and Approving Authority can seek Government consent to approve a project to proceed, once they are satisfied that the Final Business Case meets the required standard, that there is a justification for the proposed project, that it is affordable within funding constraints, and that it is high priority relative to competing proposals.
In December, the Government published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan to help drive the efficient delivery of infrastructure across Ireland. This report contains thirty specific, time bound measures designed to remove barriers. Any potential reforms to the Infrastructure Guidelines will be considered collectively, and as with previous updates to the appraisal framework, any changes made will reflect international best practice with the aim to ensure value for money for the tax payer in delivering on the infrastructural requirements of the State.
