Written Answers Nos. 62-81
64. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 8 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51381/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30 and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25 billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026. The revised National Development Plan, published in July 2025 set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State, and an additional €10billion in equity release up to 2030. This includes €3.5billion for energy grid capacity, €4.5billion for water and €2billion for low-carbon transport including Metrolink.
The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which will contribute towards the achievement of National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs), including NSO 8, which relates to the Transition to a Climate-Neutral and Climate-Resilient Society. This NSO highlights the need for a radical restructuring of our society and economy to reduce fossil fuel use and move rapidly to a climate-neutral economic model by 2050. Investment in NSO 8 will not only contribute to the objective of a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 but also lay the pathway to achieve the national climate objective of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The Climate Action Plan 2024, which was published in December 2023, sets out the actions, measures, policies and plans to meet the emission reduction targets required by our carbon budgets and sectoral emission ceilings. The plan contains actions Ireland must implement to meet our emissions reduction targets and to achieve net zero emissions no later than 2050.
In recognition of the need for additional investment to assist Ireland to deal with the transition to climate neutrality, and deal with nature, water and biodiversity degradation, the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill 2024 was enacted in June 2024. The fund will support designated environmental projects specifically related to the achievement of climate and nature goals. As part of the NDP review, €3.15 billion from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund has been allocated to support designated environmental projects, with funding to go towards projects that will assist with climate change objectives and with addressing nature, water quality and biodiversity issues. This will fund low-carbon transportation, climate mitigation and renewable energy development, and improvements in water quality.
Under NSO 8, a range of investments are planned and underway under the NDP. Some projects completed in recent years include:
• Oweninny Wind Farm Project (Phases 1 and 2)
• The 500mw Greenlink Interconnector commenced operation in January 2025
• River Dodder Flood Relief Scheme (Phase 2)
• Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme
• Ennis Lower Flood Relief Scheme
• Grousemount Wind Farm
• Douglas Flood Relief Scheme
• Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme
• Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme
• Cloncreen Windfarm
As of late 2025/early 2026, 56 major flood relief schemes have been completed across Ireland, protecting over 13,500 properties and investing in schemes like those in Kildare (Lower Morrell, Rye Water), Cork (Bandon), and Clare (Sixmilebridge, Springfield). These projects are part of a €1.3 billion National Development Plan investment targeting 80% of at-risk properties.
Further details of projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 8 can be found in the latest capital investment tracker which provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. The Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
In addition to the tracker, the sectoral plans which were published by Departments at the end of 2025 include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects and critical infrastructure works. These plans provide visibility of the delivery pipeline, giving construction firms the certainty they need to invest in hiring, training, and scaling their operations. This multi-year approach is designed to support industry planning and ensure that regional capacity can grow in line with demand. The plans include planned investment and projects across the country. These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
Furthermore, the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan (AIRAP), published in December 2025 outlined a range of reforms to speed up delivery of critical infrastructure across Ireland to support the realisation of the funding allocated under the NDP and optimise delivery.
65. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress to date in advancing a proposal to have a successor to the Peace Plus Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51528/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the €1.1 billion PEACEPLUS cross-border co-operation programme for Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland is an important European Union Cohesion Policy programme. PEACEPLUS continues the work of the previous EU North South PEACE and INTERREG programmes which began in the 1990s. I have joint responsibility for the PEACEPLUS programme along with the Minister for Finance Northern Ireland.
In March 2025, the Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister issued a Joint Statement outlining their shared commitment to the successful delivery of the 2021-2027 PEACEPLUS programme and their agreement in principle to a successor programme.
In July 2025, the European Commission included legislative provision for a successor to the PEACEPLUS programme in its draft Multi-annual Financial Framework proposals for 2028-34. In June 2026, following extensive work by officials from my Department, and officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who are engaged in the negotiation of the 2028-2034 Multi-Annual Financial Framework, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council made provision for a special allocation for a successor PEACEPLUS programme as part of it's MFF proposals.
Arising from provision for a new programme in the MFF proposals, my officials have intensified engagement with the European Commission and the UK Government and will be progressing negotiation of a Financing Agreement for a successor programme.
In parallel, the SEUPB has begun work on developing programme content, working closely with my Department and the Department of Finance NI. This work will be supported by a cross-border programme development steering group and will be informed by comprehensive public and stakeholder engagement and research.
66. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to designating any data centres as critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51478/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 provides a statutory basis for the acceleration of decision-making around projects and programmes that are designated as critical infrastructure. The Act requires that all reasonable steps be taken by public bodies, both individually and collectively, to progress any functions they may have in relation to these projects and programmes as quickly as possible.
The Critical Infrastructure Act defines 'infrastructure' as any infrastructure that enables essential facilities and systems of the State to function effectively and includes but is not limited to:
(a) transport facilities, including ports and airports, and transport systems, including roads and railways,
(b) energy generation, transmission and distributions systems, and
(c) water supply, wastewater and waste management systems.
The Act allows the Government to designate projects or programmes as constituting critical infrastructure. However, it defines 'project' as something the purpose of which is the delivery of infrastructure, and is funded by capital investment, by or on behalf of the State or by or on behalf of a public body, with programme defined as a programme comprised of two or more projects.
Therefore, it is clear that the power of Government to designate critical infrastructure is limited to projects or programmes that are by or on behalf of the State or a public body.
67. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will clarify whether the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 provides for the designation of flood protection infrastructure as critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51480/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 provides a statutory basis for the acceleration of decision-making around projects and programmes that are designated as critical infrastructure. The Act requires that all reasonable steps be taken by public bodies, both individually and collectively, to progress any functions they may have in relation to these projects and programmes as quickly as possible.
Section 1 of the Act specifically highlights transport, energy and water infrastructure in the definition of infrastructure but does not limit the potential to include other infrastructure should it be considered necessary. As such, flood protection infrastructure that is being built by or on behalf of the State is eligible to be considered for designation.
Any such designation would have to be compatible with the criteria outlined in the Act that I may have regard to before I make a recommendation on designation to Government.
Section 3 of the Act sets out how projects or programmes will be designated as critical infrastructure. In summary, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation will make a recommendation to Government in respect of the designation of an individual project or programme. Government will consider the recommendation, and, if approved, an order designating the project or programme as critical infrastructure will be laid before the Dáil. Provision is also made to allow the Dáil to annul any order laid before it.
This section also sets out those factors that I as Minister may have regard to in making a recommendation to the Government. These factors are as follows:
(a) the need to ensure effective and efficient delivery of a project or programme;
(b) whether delay to, or disruption of, the delivery of a project or programme, or failure to deliver a project or programme, may have adverse economic or social consequences for the State;
(c) whether a project or programme may impact in a positive or negative manner on the delivery of any other project or programme;
(d) the National Development Plan;
(e) such other matters in relation to infrastructure as the Minister may consider appropriate for the purposes of making a recommendation.
It is also worth noting that this Act is just one of the means being pursued to accelerate the provision of infrastructure. In the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, 30 actions were identified to address the 12 barriers to infrastructure delivery identified through my Department’s extensive stakeholder engagement.
I, my Department and the whole of Government continue to implement these actions and it is only by pressing forward on all of these fronts can the required scale of transformation in infrastructure delivery be achieved.
69. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the work underway to ensure Departments are measured on outcomes delivered for citizens rather than expenditure incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51519/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s performance budgeting initiative is very much focused on the measuring of outcomes delivered for citizens. It was commenced by my Department in 2012 and has been developed on an iterative basis over the years since then.
In addition to presenting information about the public expenditure incurred (inputs), this initiative seeks to inform discussion about resource allocations by providing information on the outputs delivered by that public expenditure and the impact or outcomes of those goods and services on people and their families, and society more generally.
Each year, the Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) sets out in detail the Departmental expenditure allocations which were agreed in the Budget. It also provides detail on key performance information on outputs, outcomes, and equality as well as the expenditure allocations.
The annual Public Service Performance Report (PSPR) facilitates the review of this performance information for the previous year. At the end of June just gone, my Department published the PSPR for 2025. It provides an opportunity to examine the expenditure allocations and public service delivery commitments set out in REV 2025 alongside information on what was actually delivered based on provisional outturns and reporting of public service delivery.
The provision of this information by Departments through the REV and PSPR seeks to provide Oireachtas members and committees and other stakeholders with a centralised repository of output and outcome data. The information seeks to inform discussion about value for money. The selection of performance information is the responsibility of each individual Accounting Officer and their Departments. Each Department and Office chooses metrics to reflect the policy goals of programmes in their budget and does so as part of ensuring value for money and understanding the intended outcomes of public funding.
In order to enhance performance budgeting, officials in my Department are undertaking a piece of work that seeks to bring greater clarity to the policy goals associated with each subhead in Departments’ Budgets in the REV and ensure that each of these is associated with at least one output indicator and one outcome indicator.
In this context, it is important to note a number of other initiatives that have an outcomes focus.
Equality Budgeting seeks to embed consideration of distributional effects into the decision-making process. The ESRI’s SWITCH model is used by officials in my Department as well as the Department of Finance and Department of Social Protection to conduct distributional impact assessments of proposed budgetary and welfare packages.
Green Budgeting seeks to better embed climate and environmental goals within the budgetary process, with a view to improving outcomes. My Department reports on the level of climate-related expenditure capturing both potentially favourable and unfavourable expenditure.
Ireland’s Well-being Framework has been developed in a way that seeks to create a well-rounded, holistic view of how Irish society is faring and utilising this approach in a systematic way across government policy making. My Department operationalises this Framework as a multi-dimensional outcomes-focussed approach to public policy. It utilises it to provide whole-of-government perspectives of public expenditure allocations, in particular, the key budgetary measures announced in the Expenditure Report and the distribution of expenditure allocations set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV).
Better Public Services is the public service transformation strategy to deliver for the public and build trust. As part of the monitoring and evaluation approach to the strategy, high level outcomes are monitored. The six high level are; use of digital to do business with the Public Service; quality of public services; government effectiveness; customer satisfaction; employee engagement; and public trust. The Better Public Services Transformation Showcase 2025-2026 provides additional information and is available on gov.ie
Finally, it should also be noted that my Department has recently published both the Benefits Realisation Framework for Infrastructure circular and the Expenditure Control and Escalation Process circular which require Departments to clearly articulate the expected outcomes and benefits associated with related expenditure.
70. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on issuing a Section 50 for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51208/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 50 consent under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, as amended is required from the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland by bodies and persons proposing to carry out construction/alteration works on bridges and culverts.
A Section 50 application for a proposed project at Gortafluddig Bridge was received by the OPW on behalf of Cork County Council on 28th April 2026. The OPW completed its initial review of the Council's application and identified that additional information was required. I understand that a response to this request was received on 29th June. The OPW will review the Council's response, and continue with its assessment of this Section 50 application and respond to the Council in due course.
The OPW's assessment under Section 50 is concerned solely with the flood risk from the proposed works. Any plans for the progression of construction or alteration works on bridges and culverts, through the Planning and Development Acts, are matters for the relevant Local Authority.
Further details of the Section 50 consent requirements are set out at the following web link:
www.gov.ie/en/office-of-public-works/publications/consent-requirements-constructionalteration-of-watercourse-infrastructure/.
72. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department has undertaken, or plans to undertake, an assessment of the impact of the removal of the supplementary pension under the single public service pension scheme on members of fast-accrual professions, including the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, the Prison Service and fire services, with particular regard to the income gap between retirement and eligibility for the State pension; whether any measures are under consideration to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51516/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Single Public Service Pension Scheme is a statutory Public Service Career-Average Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. It was established under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.
The provisions of the Single Scheme are clearly set out in law. All new-entrant public servants hired after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Scheme. This includes uniformed members in An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, full-time Firefighters and Prison Officers.
The introduction of the Single Scheme is central to ensuring the long-term sustainability of public service pensions, particularly in the context of improved life expectancy and rising public service employee numbers. The most recent valuation of the State’s Accrued Liability in respect of public service retirement benefits calculates the overall liability to be €175.7bn, which is payable over the next 70 years or so. The annual pension bill for the public service is currently at €5.3bn; this is projected to increase to a peak of €9.8bn in 2055.
Despite the broader trend in the private sector towards closing defined benefit schemes, the Single Scheme remains a defined benefit pension arrangement, albeit based on career-average remuneration.
Uniformed members - Firefighters, Prison Officers, Gardaí and the Defence Forces - have enhanced benefits that other Single Scheme members do not have. These members accrue benefits at a faster rate due to their earlier Mandatory Retirement Age.
In 2024, in recognition of individuals seeking to work longer, Government enacted legislation to permit Uniformed staff to remain in service until age 62, should they wish to. This move allows members to build-up a higher pension than previously, increasing the final value of their Single Scheme pension. On retirement, subject to having reached their Normal Retirement Age, members receive their Single Scheme pension and lump sum immediately.
There are no plans at this time to review the Single Scheme, including the Fast Accrual elements. Occupational Supplementary Pensions (OSPs) are not a feature of the Single Scheme and were not envisaged to be.
73. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 7 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51380/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure; Infrastructure; Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at a Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects/programmes in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case.
In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30 and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25 billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026. The revised National Development Plan, published in July 2025 set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State, and an additional €10billion in equity release up to 2030. This includes €3.5billion for energy grid capacity, €4.5billion for water and €2billion for low-carbon transport including Metrolink.
NSO 7 deals with the delivery of Enhanced Amenity and Heritage.
Key priorities under NSO 7 include:
• The Strategy for World Heritage in Ireland 2025-2035 was launched by Minister James Browne in May 2025. This is Ireland’s first national strategy for UNESCO World Heritage and sets out the Government’s ambitions to increase the number of World Heritage Properties in Ireland and to manage World Heritage sites sustainably.
• Development of a national Velodrome and Badminton Centre, with the contractor for the project appointed in September 2025 and construction commenced as of February this year.
• Further Investment in our National Archive which will encompass the provision of a secure environmentally controlled Archival Repository. The project will convert the existing single-story warehouse to a two-storey Archival Repository with increased storage capacity.
• Support for tourism through the development and promotion of regional experience brands such as the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
The Government is committed to reporting regularly on the delivery of the NDP. Details of more projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 7 can be found in the latest Capital Investment Tracker. This tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map provides detailed information on projects across the country, including smaller investments such as schools and cultural and sporting amenities. The map allows users to search by city, county, or eircode to view projects in their local area. The Project Ireland 2040 Capital Investment Tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are available at gov.ie/2040.
In addition to the tracker, the sectoral plans which were published by Departments at the end of 2025 include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects and critical infrastructure works. These plans provide visibility of the delivery pipeline, giving construction firms the certainty they need to invest in hiring, training, and scaling their operations. This multi-year approach is designed to support industry planning and ensure that regional capacity can grow in line with demand. The plans include planned investment and projects across the country. These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis.
Furthermore, the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan (AIRAP), published in December 2025 outlined a range of reforms to speed up delivery of critical infrastructure across Ireland to support the realisation of the funding allocated under the NDP and optimise delivery. These reforms are currently being progressed across Government, including within my own department.
74. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide a report on the work approved under the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme in Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51456/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocalised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and a Local Authority may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. Local Authorities may apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation and coastal protection works under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Since its introduction in 2009, some €70 million has been approved under the Scheme for 930 local authority led projects that are delivering flood mitigation and coastal protection for some 8,000 properties.
On 25th May 2026, I was pleased to announce revised criteria for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme that greatly increase the scope of the Scheme. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2 million and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. I have also expanded the Scheme to include interim flood mitigation measures for communities where a major flood relief scheme is planned, but not complete. Further revisions include the relaxing of some economic criteria.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved some €1.9 million in funding for some 26 projects to Louth County Council under the Scheme.
Full details of the revised Scheme are available on the OPW floodinfo website and details of the project funding approved are available at the following link www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/?la=17
75. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the overall cost of the new passport office in Navigation Square, Albert Quay, Cork City. [51015/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW), in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs, is progressing the development of new office accommodation for the Passport Service in Cork.
The project is currently at an advanced stage of design. While it is not possible to provide fitout cost due to commercial sensitivity as the project is due to proceed to tender in the coming weeks, the expenditure to date is €42,870.30 incl. Vat. These costs relates to design fees, statutory planning costs and surveying reports.
The lease term is for 20 years, beginning in January 2025. The current annual rent is €653,000 per annum.
The OPW and the Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to working collaboratively to deliver new office accommodation for the Passport Service in Cork.
76. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the measures used to assess progress under the “Digital and Innovation at Scale” pillar of the Better Public Services Transformation Showcase 2025-2026, including the extent to which citizen uptake and engagement with digital services are taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51533/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetter Public Services is the government's public service transformation strategy to deliver for the public and build trust. The vision of the strategy is to deliver inclusive, high quality and integrated public service provision that meets the needs and improves the lives of the people of Ireland.
The three pillars of the strategy are: digital and innovation at scale, workforce and organisation of the future, and evidence-informed policy and services designed for and with our public.
The strategy is focused on high level outcomes to help the public service to monitor progress and continuously improve the delivery of its services to the public including greater use of digital to do business with the public service.
The Better Public Services Showcase 2025-2026, available on gov.ie, highlights work taking place across the public service to drive transformation. It includes key data points which relate to the digital pillar. It refers to the OECD’s Digital Government Index, an international benchmark of digital transformation. In 2025, Ireland scored 0.83 out of a maximum of 1.0 placing 7th out of 36 countries. It also refers to the 2025 Open Dara Maturity Assessment, in which Ireland scored 96%, compared to an EU average of 86%, placing 5th overall out of 36 countries. This assessment evaluates the maturity of countries in open data, particularly measuring progress in making public sector information available and stimulating its reuse, in line with the Open Data Directive.
The Digital Public Services Plan is the Government's roadmap for delivering seamless, inclusive and user-centred public services through digital transformation. This Plan is a flagship initiative under Better Public Services. It aims to ensure that by 2030:
• 100% of key public services are available online; and,
• 90% of applicable services are consumed digitally.
To help oversee the implementation of the Digital Public Services Plan, we have developed monitoring and evaluation systems that utilise core digital building blocks that all Departments have access to. This will continue to be developed over time to track progress against the targets set out in the plan, and to develop the insights and data needed to continuously refine it, with the aim of optimising delivery and enhancing user experience in the most cost-effective way.
77. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the critical infrastructure projects he is considering to curb budget overruns caused by external market factors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51546/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
As part of the budgetary process each year, my Department sets overall expenditure ceilings for each Ministerial Vote Group. These are laid out at Vote level in the Budget Day Expenditure Report published in October with further detail provided in the Revised Estimates for Public Services published in December.
The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP) rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP, for setting out relevant timelines and overseeing delivery.
The NDP Review 2025 was published on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, in line with the Programme for Government commitment. The Plan committed €275.4billion in public capital investment to 2035, the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State, and an additional €10billion in equity release up to 2030. This included €3.5billion for energy grid capacity, €4.5billion for water and €2billion for low-carbon transport including Metrolink.
The Programme for Government set out the clear prioritisation for the NDP Review to ensure that investment can be maximised in the coming five years for strategic infrastructure. This includes the key energy, water and transport networks on which all future development relies. This is critical to allow Government to meet the additional 300,000 homes target and to support competitiveness.
Departments subsequently published sectoral investment plans setting out the capital projects to be prioritised from 2026 to 2030. These plans provide visibility of the delivery pipeline, giving construction firms the certainty they need to invest in hiring, training, and scaling their operations. The plans include planned investment and projects across the country, including a range of projects and critical infrastructure works.
The delivery of departmental sectoral plans to 2030 remains a priority for Government. Responsibility for the management of individual projects, including measures to address cost pressures arising from external market factors, rests with the relevant sponsoring Minister and Department.
78. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to ensure that departmental budget requests are based on total spending in the previous year; that any previous budgetary overruns will be considered in next years’ budget plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51545/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure figures are published each month in the Fiscal Monitor. At end June, gross spending was €54.4 billion euro. Compared to end June last year, this is an increase of €3.5 billion or 6.9%. Overall, the June spending is broadly in line with the plans submitted by Departments, with the aggregate variance from profile showing a variance of 1.0% under the planned spend. My Department actively monitors spending developments throughout the year and is in ongoing engagement with all other Departments to identify any spending risks and mitigations to these.
In any given year, there can be a range of reasons why Departments might require funding above the amount originally included in an Estimate. Additional allocations may be needed due to Government decisions to provide supports in response to developments during the year – such as the recent Supplementary Estimates for fuel support schemes – or where services or schemes cost more than a Department originally estimated. The additional funding may be required on temporary or reoccurring basis.
Incorporating all expenditure overruns facilitated through supplementary estimates into future years budgets would risk embedding inefficiencies into the base and undermine the need for meaningful reforms to be developed and implemented. Budget 2026 placed a particular emphasis on achieving value for money. The budget strategy was developed using a whole of budget approach, which placed a strong emphasis on the totality of expenditure and linking expenditure and investment to improved outcomes.
As part of my Department’s role, it establishes the governance frameworks, or rules, setting out the principles and procedures for how money should be spent. These frameworks support Accounting Officers in discharging their responsibility to ensure expenditure is managed in line with the Voted allocation and that services are delivered in an effective and efficient manner.
Last year my Department published Circular 18/2025, which set out the value for money obligation on all civil and public servants. It highlighted the roles and responsibilities in the delivery of value for money, as well as the robust guidance, codes of practice, and circulars underpinned by legislation and informed by best practice in the pursuit of value for money. This year, Circular 21/2026 "Expenditure Control and Escalation Process" issued to all Government departments in May and provides a clear framework for managing expenditure and sets phases for escalation if spending overruns emerge.
The Medium-Term Fiscal and Structural Plan was published in December. Grounded in the Programme for Government, the plan sets fixed expenditure ceilings out to 2030, with total spending increasing to €147.3?billion in 2030. For this level of funding to deliver on the commitments set out and prioritised by Government in the Programme for Government Departments must adhere to these ceilings. This will require firm expenditure discipline, robust internal oversight and risk-management arrangements, and the avoidance of in-year policy decisions that create additional cost pressures and the need for supplementary estimates.
79. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for a report on the Benefits Realisation Framework for infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51520/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan (AIRAP), published in December 2025, outlined reforms to speed up delivery of critical infrastructure and support implementation of the NDP. The Action Plan addresses 12 key barriers and sets out 30 time-bound actions under four reform pillars aimed at accelerating infrastructure delivery.
The Benefits Realisation Framework for Infrastructure was published by my Department on July 1st 2026. The Framework is a key reform under the AIRAP report and applies to all Government Departments and public sector bodies.
The Benefits Realisation Framework establishes a consistent approach to how the benefits of infrastructure investment are communicated. It gives effect to Action 30 of AIRAP, which commits to improving how the societal value of infrastructure is described and understood.
Capital projects undergo detailed and robust appraisal under the Infrastructure Guidelines, including the identification and assessment of economic, social and environmental benefits. However, this technical analysis is designed to support decision-making processes. The new Benefits Realisation Framework ensures that the same data on benefits is made meaningful for, and accessible to, people in their day-to-day lives.
The Framework requires that public engagement and communications on capital works set out both the direct impacts of infrastructure projects and the wider economic and social benefits they enable, with a priority focus on how infrastructure works either directly deliver, or facilitate, delivery of housing. The Framework also introduces a requirement to articulate the costs of inaction, providing greater transparency on the consequences of not proceeding with infrastructure projects.
Public Sector Bodies involved in the sponsoring, funding and/or public engagement and communication of public infrastructure will be required to apply the Framework, through early and ongoing collaboration between policy, technical and communications teams to ensure that benefits identified in appraisal documentation are translated effectively for public engagement.
The Framework does not alter or add to the appraisal requirements under the Infrastructure Guidelines. Instead, it ensures that the information produced through the project lifecycle is used effectively for engagement on capital works.
The Framework is supported by a policy and principles document, a practical “How To” guide, and a Benefits Blueprint tool. These were informed by international best practice and were user-tested across a number of sectoral Departments. These supports are designed to help Public Sector Bodies embed the approach into project development, business case preparation, and public engagement and communications.
The Framework is outlined in Circular 24/2026, and available on gov.ie. The full operational documentation underpinning the Framework are also available on the Infrastructure Guidelines webpage under the DPER website.
80. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 5 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51379/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30, and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25 billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026.
The revised National Development Plan, published in July, set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. Government has prioritised investment towards the critical growth-enabling sectors of housing, energy and water and transport.
Following the agreement of the revised NDP in July 2025, gross capital expenditure ceilings for all sectors have now been set out to 2030. Departments have since published sectoral plans for the upcoming 5 years out to 2030. These plans detail priority projects to be progressed. Departments must ensure that the plans are affordable within the gross capital expenditure ceilings as agreed by Government.
NSO 5 refers to a strong economy, supported by enterprise, innovation and skills.
Under the 2025 NDP review, the Government allocated €4.55 billion to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and a total of €3.68 billion to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for the 2026-2030 period for them to continue their investments in necessary projects and programmes.
A range of projects have already been delivered under NSO 5 since the 2021 NDP review, including for example:
• A new teaching building in TU Dublin, Blanchardstown
• The Polaris building in DCU
• Phase 1 and 2 of the Maynooth University, Technology Society and Innovation Building
In addition, investment continues to be made in programmes such as:
• The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund
• Investment in Research and Development through Enterprise Ireland
• North-South Intertrade Ireland and Peaceplus programmes
• Higher Education Apprenticeship Expansion Programme
81. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his Department’s plans and timelines to develop flood defence embankments on the Lower Shannon River (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51536/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans, included a recommendation to progress a flood relief scheme for Limerick City and Environs.
Limerick City and County Council is leading the delivery of the Limerick City and Environs Flood Relief Scheme, with staff managing this project funded by the OPW. The Scheme commenced in May 2021 and is currently at Stage 1, Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. A Project Steering Group, comprising representatives from Limerick City and County Council, as Contracting Authority, and the Office of Public Works, meets monthly to progress the Scheme.
Optioneering for all potential technically viable design options is at an advanced stage. The emerging options will be taken forward to a public consultation day in the coming months. The views from this consultation will help to inform a preferred option that will be subject to a further public consultation.
The optioneering for this flood relief scheme includes design for flood defences in the Westbury and Shannon Banks housing estates.
When a design option that is technically, environmentally and economically viable is identified planning consent will be sought by Limerick City and County Council from An Coimisiún Pleanála. At this time a request for planning consent will be made in 2028 and subject to consent being received, construction is due to to commence in 2030. The scheme will take some 4 years to complete construction.
On 25th May 2026, I was pleased to announce revised criteria details for the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme that greatly increases the scope of the Scheme. The revisions include an increase in the upper threshold in funding for projects from €750,000 to €2 million and an increase in the OPW contribution from 90% to 95% for approved funding above €300,000. I have also expanded the Scheme to provide for interim flood mitigation measures for communities where a major flood relief scheme is planned, but not complete. Further revisions include the relaxing of some economic criteria.
