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 NDP 2021-30 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 2 which relates to Enhanced Regional Accessibility.

This strategic outcome seeks to enhance intra-regional accessibility through improved transport links between key urban centres of population and their respective regions, as well as improving transport links between the regions. The Government is investing in active travel, bus, rail and road projects across the country to deliver on this strategic outcome. The NDP provides funding of €35 billion for transport infrastructure over the period 2021-30. Better transport links delivered under the NDP include upgrades on the N4 from Collooney to Castlebaldwin, from Gort to Tuam on the N17/N18 and the N25 New Ross Bypass. This year has seen the completion of the N5 Westport to Turlough.This road will enable economic development in the West of Ireland, while greatly enhancing connectivity within the region, as well as improving the link between the midlands and the West of Ireland. Other major regional projects under construction include the Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade, the Moycullen Bypass and the Listowel Bypass. Last week the Government gave approval to advance construction of the Adare Bypass. The bypass is one element of the Limerick to Foynes Project which is a 33km road connecting Limerick to the port of Foynes. This is a major infrastructural project of strategic importance to Limerick and our national road network.

The maintenance and renewal of the rail network is also a focus of this strategic outcome. The NTA and Iarnród Eireann have ordered 41 Inter-City Railcars (ICRs) which are entering service and will further enhance and expand the rail fleet.Construction of the National Train Control Centre was completed in November 2022 and will be a key enabler for the expansion of rail services as it will enhance rail traffic management and will underpin both the planned and potential future expansion of rail services across the network.

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 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.