Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
268. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on the establishment of a new Unit for Future Planning in line with the Programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48812/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Programme for Government, as our population grows, it is essential that people can continue to avail of public services when they need them, in a timely and efficient manner, through increased access and improved delivery. In this context, my Department will continue to enhance the capacity for longer-term thinking and future planning. Work in this regard is already being undertaken across a number of relevant Divisions and this is kept under ongoing review.
The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, published in September 2025, is a multi-year public expenditure planning exercise that supports assessment of the resource implications of future policy decisions up to 2030, which will enable better planning, effective prioritisation and increased transparency on the costs of delivering critical public services.
The 2025 National Development Plan Review sets out departmental capital ceilings to 2030 and overall capital investment out to 2035. Together with the National Planning Framework, under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, these plans combine to form Project Ireland 2040, the overarching planning and investment framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland.
Other initiatives to support longer-term thinking include those by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service with strategic policy discussion events on long term trends such as demographic change. My Department also engaged on a pilot programme of strategic foresight activities that was run in conjunction with the OECD to raise awareness of the uses of strategic foresight in policy development. This was connected to, and informed the Better Public Services transformation strategy, and there is ongoing engagement with OECD through the Public Governance Committee.
My Department continues to strengthen its capacity for long-term thinking and future planning. A key enabler, as outlined in the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2025–2028), is a strong focus on long-term strategic priorities.
