Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
207. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Taoiseach the total proposed capital spend under the Shared Island Fund between 2026 and 2030; the amount of this is to be allocated to transport projects; and could these transport projects be itemised along with the proposed spend. [1046/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Plan (NDP) Review published on 22 July 2025 included a doubling of the Shared Island Fund to a total €2 billion commitment out to 2035, implementing a commitment in our Programme for Government.
The NDP Review set out overall capital ceilings for the Shared Island Fund for 2026-2030 of:
|
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
Total |
|
€190m |
€200m |
€200m |
€200m |
€200m |
€990m |
On 18 November, I published, as part of the NDP Review, the Government’s Sectoral Investment Plan on our Shared Island investment priorities. This sets out how the Shared Island Fund will be deployed, working through all-island co-funding partnerships, to deliver on our objectives for Building a Shared Island.
The Government’s Shared Island investment objectives are taken forward by line Ministers and their Departments, working with Northern Ireland and British Government counterparts, and consistent with NDP Sectoral Plans.
Shared Island Fund allocations are made by Government to agreed projects and programmes on a co-funding basis, alongside funding from other public sources, and on a collaborative cross-border basis, working with the Northern Ireland Executive and / or UK Government.
On Transport, the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan on Shared Island investment sets out:
Projects progressing to delivery in 2026:
• New airlink between Dublin and Derry to enable regular air travel between the two cities to commence in 2026.
• Continuing the Dublin-Belfast hourly frequency train service, which has seen a 40% increase in passenger numbers since October 2024.
• Installation of publicly-accessible EV charging points at sports clubs across the island through the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme.
Further priorities 2026-2030:
• Enhance rail connectivity acting on prioritised recommendations from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy.
• Improve connectivity with the North-West working with the Executive to deliver the A5 road upgrade through the Government’s €600m commitment.
• Continue development of an island-wide greenway network to link the Atlantic coast with the Eastern seaboard across the border region.
• Work to introduce a pilot hydrogen HDV refuelling corridor on the Dublin to Belfast route.
• Invest to support all-island supply chains and networks, including at ports and airports.
• Support delivery under the PEACEPLUS programme including fleet replacement for the Enterprise train service.
Shared Island Fund allocations made by Government to Transport projects to date are set out in tabular form below.
|
- |
Shared Island Fund allocations as of 13 January 2026
|
|
Transport project
|
Shared Island Fund allocation
|
|
Dublin-Derry PSO air service Taken forward by the Minister for Transport |
€2m for introduction of service in H2 2026. |
|
Dublin-Belfast hourly-frequency rail service Taken forward by the Minister for Transport |
€12.5m contribution 2024-2026. |
|
Shared Island Sports Club EV charging scheme Taken forward by the Minister for Transport |
€15m allocation 2024-2027. |
|
Shared Island Greenways Development Fund Taken forward by the Minister for Transport |
€2m contribution 2026-2027. |
|
Cross-border Carlingford Lough Greenway Taken forward by the Minister for Transport |
€1.5m contribution 2024-2025. |
