Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under the National Strategic Outcome 6 of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29490/24]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 6 deals with the delivery of high quality international connectivity. As a small open economy, wider global challenges and the recovery and return to operations following COVID-19 continues to frame the context in which Ireland does business with the world. High quality international connectivity through our ports and airports is essential for our economy.

In terms of our airports a range of investments are planned and underway. The new North Runway at Dublin Airport has enhanced capacity and will help to meet future demand in the greater Dublin area. A major infrastructure investment is planned by daa to increase the capacity of Dublin Airport. The National Aviation Policy recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport in meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes a specific objective of developing Dublin Airport as a secondary hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets.

In 2023, daa applied for planning permission for a suite of infrastructure projects at Dublin Airport. The proposed investment is an opportunity to ensure Dublin Airport can continue to develop as a leading European and transatlantic hub.

The Shannon Airport Group has continued with development of its property portfolio in the Shannon Free Zone, assisting IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in their drive for inward investment and increased employment in the region. The Shannon Airport Group continues its work to upgrade, deep retrofit and build high quality, energy efficient property solutions for both FDI and indigenous companies.

With the objective of supporting high quality connectivity, continued Exchequer support for smaller regional airports is provided under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, including, Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West Airport (Knock).

In relation to ports, the Port of Cork Company's Ringaskiddy Redevelopment Project was completed and became operational in April 2022.

The development of the Foynes Port by the Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) consists of a 38-hectare site development for a new logistics park at Foynes Port and the reinstatement of Foynes railway. This investment will further improve our international connectivity.

Dublin Port is progressing implementation of its Masterplan in order to ensure that the Port can provide for future sustainable growth and changes in facilitating seaborne trade in goods and passenger movements to and from Ireland and the Dublin region in particular.

Further details of projects and programmes being delivered under NSO 6 can be found in the latest capital investment tracker, which I published on 1 May 2024 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.