Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
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8. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if Dundalk and Drogheda will remain a key priority as key economic growth areas due to their location on the Dublin to Belfast economic corridor Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39512/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. Each Minister is responsible for deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with individual sponsoring Departments in each case. Expenditure is therefore allocated and monitored on a Departmental basis and not a geographical basis.

The Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor, between the two largest cities on the island of Ireland, is a key economic region. The corridor is of significant importance and provides a strategic gateway for cross-border trade. Balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040.

There is significant infrastructure investment in County Louth across many sectors, including in roads, housing, health, water and active travel projects. Some projects currently being implemented include a number of housing projects such as the provision of 72 new social housing units at Boice Court, Drogheda, the construction of 93 units are progressing in Mount Avenue, Dundalk with a further 142 being delivered in Gullion Avenue, Dundalk.

The regeneration of the public realm in the Northern Gateway, which includes Bridge Street, Linenhall Street, Northgate Street, and Peace Park, is a multifaceted project aimed at enhancing the area's appeal and functionality. This will involve improvements to pedestrian and cycle infrastructure to provide better connections between the area and surrounding localities, public spaces.

These are just some examples of investments in infrastructure in County Louth, with further vital infrastructure projects set to be delivered over the life cycle of the NDP.

The Government has committed €165 billion of funding for capital investment under the NDP 2021-30. An additional €2.25 billion was allocated in 2024 as part of an update to the NDP which set out revised capital ceilings from 2024 to 2026. In 2025, almost €16 billion has been made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects. This level of expenditure is pivotal in consolidating the progress already made and in supporting balanced regional development to address key infrastructural bottlenecks more rapidly, and lead to further improvements in living standards and competitiveness.

The Government is committed to detailing progress on the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals 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, the latest version of which was published on 29 May. In addition, my Department publishes the Project Ireland 2040 Annual report and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements throughout the country.

Furthermore, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department has commenced a review of the NDP, which will be completed by the end of this month. The review will encompass all public capital investment and will utilise State funds to support increased capital investment levels in all regions, including Drogheda and Dundalk.