Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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A comprehensive review of the National Development Plan (NDP) took place over the course of 2020 and 2021. The Government committed €165 billion funding for capital investment as set out in the NDP 2021-30 published in October 2021. The significant level of expenditure committed under the NDP is pivotal in consolidating the progress already made, supporting balanced regional development and, most importantly, delivering the necessary infrastructure to support our future climate change obligations as well as our social and economic requirements.

In March this year, I informed Government of a package of significant actions aimed at enhancing project delivery of the NDP. One of these actions was to commission an independent evaluation of NDP priorities and capacity. This work has been conducted by the ESRI, and my Department has recently received the final draft. The evaluation focuses on the capacity to deliver current Government priorities, to utilise sectoral capital allocations, and estimates the impact of components of the NDP on key economic indicators. In addition, the report provides insights on constraints and capacity of key sectors including housing, energy, transport, health and education. Furthermore, the report examines cross-cutting themes such as climate commitments, planning and balanced regional development. It is expected that the report will be published shortly. On foot of the ESRI report, my Department will consider the process to underpin NDP allocations and will engage with Departments where appropriate in relation to their broad objectives for delivery of priority projects and programmes in line with the overall NDP framework.