Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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21. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will commit to long-term financial guarantees for infrastructure projects to facilitate longer-term planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60203/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is fully committed to providing financial certainty for infrastructure projects to support our international competitiveness and to ensure we meet the needs of our growing population.

The Review of the National Development Plan (NDP), published in July 2025, sets out a €275 billion public capital investment programme to 2035, the largest in the history of the State. The plan sets out sectoral capital allocations of €102.4 billion for the years 2026 to 2030; and a further €100 billion for 2030 to 2035. The setting of sectoral capital allocations gives Departments certainty about the funding available to them for investment in vital public infrastructure over the medium term.

The review includes an additional €34 billion relative to the previous 2021-2030 NDP including equity funding of €10 billion to 2030 to fund large strategic projects in energy, water and transport.

This is the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State and will enable the delivery of thousands of new homes, provide more childcare and school places, invest in children’s disability services and ensure better healthcare for all.

In the Review, Government prioritised investment in the critical economic growth enabling sectors – housing, water, energy and transport which will support the delivery of 300,000 new homes by 2030.

Departments are now developing sectoral investment plans that will outline the specific projects and programmes to be delivered over the next five years. These plans will provide a clear and timetabled pipeline of investment, enabling longer-term planning of infrastructure and the building up of construction sector capacity.

Budget 2026 builds on this. The Budget includes €19.1 billion in capital investment, an increase of €2 billion on 2025. This includes major investments in housing, water infrastructure, electricity grid capacity, and transport connectivity, all of which are essential to unlocking housing delivery and supporting economic growth.

My Department is also leading a comprehensive reform programme to accelerate infrastructure delivery.

A new Infrastructure Division has been established within my Department to drive this agenda. This Division is focused on identifying and removing barriers to delivery, particularly in the electricity, water and transport sectors which are critical enablers of housing, economic growth and public service provision.

I also chair the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, with members including CEOs from semi-state agencies who are critical to economic infrastructure development, such as Uisce Éireann, the National Transport Authority, and ESB Networks, and independent senior members that bring their business and construction sector experience. The Taskforce oversees and applies practical, real-world insights into the Infrastructure Division’s work.

These measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to providing sustainable and strategic public investment and also drive the infrastructure delivery reforms necessary to provide transformative infrastructure for Ireland’s future.