The Government is putting the finishing touches on a large-scale investment package that aims to channel up to €30bn in extra funding into Ireland’s infrastructure from 2026 to 2030, reports RTE.
Leaders of the coalition and key ministers convened last night to finalise the updated National Development Plan, which is set to raise the total projected infrastructure investment for the next five to six years to almost €100bn.
Proceeds from the sale of AIB shares and back taxes recovered from Apple, the iPhone manufacturer, are helping to fund this increase, reports RTE.
Addressing Fine Gael members in Longford yesterday, Tánaiste Simon Harris described the NDP as a major shift in infrastructure funding for Ireland.
He reminded members that Fine Gael had made infrastructure reform a campaign promise and stressed that the issue had been a central focus in recent negotiations on the plan, reports RTE.
Additional meetings are scheduled to be held today and tomorrow.
Those present at last night’s meeting included Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for State Sean Canney, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe.
The updated plan will cover investments in housing, water services, energy systems, and transportation, reports RTE.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Jack Chambers said the new NDP “gives an opportunity for transformation and investment” in the Irish economy over the next five to ten years.
Speaking during RTÉ’s This Week programme, he confirmed that €10bn would be earmarked for “specific strategic investment”, reports RTE.
“It’s across three specific areas – the water and wastewater infrastructure, the Metro project but prior to 2030, and also the necessity to provide investment in our grid, and we’ll set out the specific details around that on Tuesday,” he said, reports RTE.
Asked about the source of the additional €10bn, the minister explained that it is “part of our medium-term economic planning”, adding that the Government is focusing on capital investment for the medium and long term.
He emphasised that an “additional uplift” is necessary to tackle problems that “can’t wait any further on”.
Minister Chambers noted that the schedule for the Metro project hinges on planning procedures, saying they aim to lay out a longer-term timeline to help advance the initiative, reports RTE.
Minister Chambers is expected to inform Cabinet colleagues next week about uncertainties in international trade and warn that potential tariffs from US President Donald Trump pose a “significant risk”.
He will argue that the most effective way to protect the economy and boost competitiveness is by resolving Ireland’s infrastructure shortfalls, reports RTE.
Uisce Éireann has stated that it requires an extra €2bn in addition to the €10.3bn it has already been allocated for capital investments.
ESB Networks has indicated it needs an extra €1bn in equity to support its €13.4bn investment plan, reports RTE.
Funding is also expected for Eirgrid, the organisation responsible for operating the national electricity grid.
The report to be released on Tuesday will detail departmental capital limits through 2030 and outline the broader investment strategy up to 2035, reports RTE.
Government ministers will present the specific programmes and priorities they plan to focus on as part of Budget 2026 in October.
The revised plan comes after several weeks of one-on-one talks between various departments and Minister Chambers’ Department of Public Expenditure, alongside public input.
Ministers will also receive updates on efforts to overhaul how projects are delivered in Ireland, aiming to shorten project timelines and improve value for money, reports RTE.
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