Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
51. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department is considering any reforms or updates to the Public Spending Code, Infrastructure Guidelines or associated public project appraisal and governance frameworks; the specific reforms under consideration; the timelines for implementation of any such reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39985/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Infrastructure Guidelines set out value for money requirements for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects in Ireland. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and the national frameworks is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister.
The Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, which was published in December 2025, set out 30 time-bound actions to speed up the pace of infrastructure delivery in Ireland. Action 23 in the report recommended amending the Infrastructure Guidelines to streamline and speed up the project approvals process. These changes, which were implemented in Q1 2026 via circular 08/2026, are:
• The threshold for Major Projects has increased from €200m to €500m for sectors with a well-established track record of delivery (Transport, Energy and Water).
• For all sectors, the External Assurance Process (EAP) has been replaced with a streamlined and time-bound internal review by the relevant Vote section in DPER; and
• Major projects at Approval Gate 2 no longer need Ministerial approval and may now be approved solely by the Accounting Officer of the Government Department that is funding the proposed project.
In addition to this, administrative guidance has been issued to departments regarding timelines for Preliminary Business Case approval for major projects.
The reforms to the Infrastructure Guidelines are being made in parallel with other actions in the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan, to support coordination, align planning and funding, and create a more predictable pathway for delivering critical infrastructure. This will result in a reduction in timelines for project approval and delivery, while retaining sufficient protections to ensure value for public money.
Further reforms to the Infrastructure Guidelines continue to be considered in context of the delivery of the Action Plan.
