Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
371. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether quantified time-reduction targets have been set under the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan; and if he will provide the performance indicators by which success will be measured. [16707/26]
View answerAll thirty actions and sub-actions in the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan have associated timelines for their completion. The report also sets out expected outcomes and key performance indicators for each of the thirty actions. Following the creation of the new Regulatory Simplification unit in my Department for example, one the key performance indicators that will be applied to that unit is the reduction in consenting timelines for major projects.
In some cases, it has been possible to attach specific time savings to achievement of actions. For example, the completion of the streamlining of project approval processes (Action 23) is estimated to save approximately twelve months across the project delivery lifecycle. Similarly, by allowing the National Development Finance Agency to provide centralised support and guidance to Departments on the development of major projects, it is estimated that savings of up to another twelve months can be achieved.
The cumulative impact of the implementation of all thirty actions is likely to save significant time off the development lifecycle for critical infrastructure. Exactly how much time will be shaved off each project is likely to be project specific. However, I have said consistently that it appears that the development lifecycle for critical infrastructure has doubled compared to the development cycles typical just twenty years ago. My target is to reverse this trend, to bring Ireland back in line with international norms and enact the reforms that will allow us to deliver the infrastructure necessary to support our shared prosperity.
