Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
170. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70529/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to provide the Deputy with an overview of my Department’s main policy achievements during 2025. My Department's priorities are set out in a new Statement of Strategy 2025-2028, which was published earlier this year. My Department’s mission is to drive the delivery of better public services, living standards and infrastructure for the people of Ireland. The strategy outlines how my Department will achieve its goals in the context of the Programme for Government and overall Government priorities and overarching policy frameworks.
Delivering reform is central to the Programme for Government and to everything we do in my Department and I believe that implementation of the actions under each of the three strategic goals in the Statement of Strategy – Enhancing Governance; Building Capacity; and Delivering Effectively – will ensure that my Department continues to make a major contribution at the centre of government.
From an expenditure policy perspective, my Department is playing a central role in shaping Ireland’s fiscal and budgetary landscape through the publication of the Summer Economic Statement, the launch of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, and the successful delivery of Budget 2026. I have also instituted a review of Public Financial Procedures to enhance accountability and value for money.
My Department strengthened its infrastructure mandate by establishing a dedicated Division and Taskforce. The Department has published a revised National Development Plan, allocating €275.4 billion in capital investment to 2035; published a Report on Stakeholder Engagement and Emerging Themes on Infrastructure, which highlights what are considered to be the most impactful barriers to infrastructure; and last week published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, designed to address the key barriers to infrastructure development and drive the efficient delivery of infrastructure across Ireland.
My Department is working with a broad range of public bodies on the implementation of the Better Public Services Strategy to deliver agreed flagship programmes under the three pillars of Digital and Innovation at Scale, Workforce and Organisation of the Future and Evidence informed policy and services designed for and with our public. This programme is focused on providing inclusive, high quality and integrated service provision that meets the needs and improves the lives of the people of Ireland. I would highlight, in particular, the recent publication of a new Digital Public Services Plan (2030). This plan commits to the digitalisation of 189 applicable key public services across 17 Life Events (e.g. Birth of a Child, Becoming Employed/Unemployed). The plan also commits to a service design methodology whereby services will be redesigned after extensive user research. The plan sets a pathway to delivering on two key targets for 2030: (i) 100% of key public services available online; and (ii) 90% of key public services consumed online. My Department is also advancing digital transformation through the completion of the State Data Centre and updates to the Digital Inclusion Roadmap.
Aligned to the delivery of Better Public Services, my Department is also in the process of developing a first ever National Public Procurement Strategy. This strategy is supported by a National Public Procurement Policy Framework, which sets out the procurement procedures to be followed by Government Departments and State Bodies under national and EU rules.
During 2025, Ireland’s position on EU Cohesion Policy post 2027 was articulated through a public consultation and position paper, while civil service reform continues with new workplace policies and updated guidance on CEO remuneration. The Department also supports innovation in public service delivery, published AI usage guidelines, and introduced new skills development initiatives including the ICT Apprenticeship Scheme and the Commercial Skills Academy Strategic Action Plan.
Sustainability and legislative reform were prioritised through the approval of a Green Public Procurement Circular and the enactment of the Statute Law Revision Act 2024. Recognition of excellence was achieved with awards and certifications for ethical procurement and data governance, and public engagement was enhanced through initiatives such as the WhereYourMoneyGoes.gov.ie survey.
