Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an overview of NSO 7 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55858/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Again at the outset it should be noted that my Department, in carrying out its role in coordinating the NDP Review, does not consider the merit of individual projects or sectoral policy strategies as this is primarily a matter for individual Departments and Agencies.

With that point noted, I would be glad to give the Deputy an overview of the NSO 7 which is the delivery of Enhanced Amenity and Heritage. Ireland’s heritage – built, natural, cultural and linguistic, tangible and intangible – is of fundamental importance to all aspects of our society, our identity, our well-being and our economy.

Investment in our heritage has the dual benefit of protecting our natural and historic built environment while improving health, wellbeing and providing a catalyst for the economy through the development of recreational activities and the expansion of tourism as appropriate within heritage sites.

Sectoral strategies include: Heritage Ireland 2030; Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027; Linking People and Places for the tourism sector; and, the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 for the sport sector.

Heritage investment priorities include: development of our natural parks and reserves, and safeguarding Ireland’s Historic Environment through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund.

Investment priorities include: the enhancement of sports facilities throughout Ireland with the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund; Digitisation of the National Collections; and, the National Cultural Institutions Investment Programme. Specific projects range from the refurbishment of the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork, to the development of world-class sporting facilities at the Sport Ireland Campus. Investment priorities for tourism in the short term will include the further development and promotion of the regional tourism experience brands such as the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

These are just some of the many investments which will be delivered under this NSO in the coming years to support Project Ireland 2040. Further details on projects can be found on the investment tracker on gov.ie/2040.