Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As indicated in my reply to Question No. 67 of 21 February 2024, the Government committed €165 billion towards capital investment through the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-30 published in 2021. As set out in the Summer Economic Statement (SES) 2023, an additional €2.25 billion was made available to be allocated in the 2024 to 2026 period, to provide funding for critical infrastructure projects that are at an advanced stage as well as to the existing Climate Action Fund. Following the conclusion of more than 30 bilateral meetings which took place from January to March between myself and my Ministerial colleagues, the distribution of the additional €2.25 billion across Departments was agreed by Government on March 27. Recognising the capacity constraints in the economy, the additional funding will be targeted at projects that are at the appropriate stage of development for advancement in 2025 and 2026. This process included the consideration of which sectors have been able to utilise existing NDP allocations in recent years and who have a good track record of delivery. This funding will facilitate the progression of important projects and enable more rapid development of key Programme for Government commitments, such as the delivery of actions to fulfil our climate action plan commitments, the provision of more housing and enhanced education facilities.

The additional €2.25 billion builds on the existing funding already available under the NDP out to 2026 and it will mean more schools, housing, transport and healthcare projects can be progressed and delivered for our people.

The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the NDP, rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Expenditure is therefore allocated and monitored on a Departmental basis and not a geographical basis. Some notable public investment projects delivered under the NDP in Galway city and county include:

• The N59 Moycullen Bypass.
• N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme.
• University Hospital Galway, Radiation Oncology Unit.
• Merlin Park University Hospital Galway, replacement Orthopaedic Theatre Block.
• A new school building for 750 plus pupils with SEN provision at Gairmscoil Mhuire.

Further details of projects and programmes being delivered in Galway city and county can be found in the latest capital investment tracker, which I published yesterday and provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, and contains smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.

The Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.