Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed €165 billion funding for capital investment, as set out in the National Development Plan (NDP) published in October 2021. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF).

The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which will contribute towards the achievement of these NSOs, including NSO 10 (Access to Quality Childcare, Education and Health Services).

In terms of childcare, during 2022, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth spent almost €60 million across its various capital programmes to support a range of key services in respect of children and young people and international migrants. In addition, in 2022, over 180 school building projects were delivered under various programmes and schemes, such as the Large Scale Capital Programme, and the Additional School Accommodation Scheme. Approximately 300 school projects were planned for 2023, with a further 1,000 schools projects in the pipeline.

In terms of healthcare, new elective hospitals are planned for Cork and Galway. Significant progress is being made on the National Children’s Hospital. In 2022 16 new Primary Care Centres were delivered and the National Forensic Mental Hospital, Portrane becoming operational. Seven Community Nursing Units were completed in 2022 including Clonakilty Community Hospital in Cork and Ambulance Bases were completed at Ardee, Merlin Park and Mullingar.

In 2023, over €12 billion is available to Departments to spend on vital infrastructure in areas such as transport, education, and health, as well as housing, water infrastructure and cultural amenities. NSO 10 will continue to be prioritised as we continue to deliver our National Strategic Outcomes across the country in line with the National Planning Framework.

The Government is committed to detailing progress on the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency of the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This is achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer which list projects and programmes, by NSO, on a regional and county level. In addition, Annual and Regional Reports on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 have been published for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. The Project Ireland 2040 Annual and Regional Reports, capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.