Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
450. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the National Development Plan Review is scheduled to be completed; to confirm that the towns and cities infrastructure investment fund will be implemented arising from the review; the expected funding allocation for the fund and the timeline for the implementation of the recommendations of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14984/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out the clear ambition to prioritise the delivery of transformative, critical and growth-enhancing infrastructure over the next 5 years.
To support these goals, the Government, led by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, has commenced work on setting the parameters, priorities and critical milestones for Review of the National Development Plan.
Also set out in the Programme for Government, it is my intention to establish a new Towns and Cities Infrastructure Investment Fund to replace the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). With this new fund it is the aim of my Department to continue and expand URDF-type investment in projects. This will allow for investment in infrastructure, the acquisition of land, assembly of sites and the de-risking of sites in existing towns and cities to maximise their potential growth.
The detailed arrangements for the implementation of these funding streams will be clarified further following completion of the National Development Plan Review, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, and which will enable the level of additional capital funding for infrastructure investment to be determined. It is planned that the Review will be completed in line with the Summer 2025 timeline set out in the Programme for Government.
