Written answers
Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Public Services Provision
Catherine Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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24. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action he is taking to provide the public services and the infrastructure necessary to enhance living standards for people and maintain Ireland’s competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60194/25]
Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is taking decisive action to enhance living standards and maintain Ireland’s competitiveness through the provision of high-quality public services and strategic investment in infrastructure.
The Review of the National Development Plan (NDP), published in July 2025, represents the largest capital investment plan in the history of the State, with a total of €275 billion to be invested over the period to 2035. This unprecedented scale of investment reflects the Government’s commitment to addressing Ireland’s infrastructure deficit and supporting long-term economic development.
A key objective of the NDP Review is to unlock the delivery of 300,000 additional homes by 2030, by prioritising investment in enabling infrastructure such as water, energy and transport.
Key NDP investment details set out in the Review include:
- €102.4 billion is being allocated for the next five years – an additional €23.9 billion on what was previously allocated in the NDP.
- €12.2 billion in capital funding for water and wastewater services, including equity injections to Uisce Éireann to support housing delivery and major projects like the Greater Dublin Drainage and Water Supply Project.
- €3.5 billion in equity funding to ESB and EirGrid to enhance electricity grid capacity, supporting both housing and competitiveness.
- Significant allocations to transport infrastructure, including MetroLink, BusConnects, and national road projects.
Departments are now developing sectoral plans, which will outline the specific major projects to be delivered out to 2030. These plans will provide visibility on the infrastructure pipeline and support the scaling of construction sector capacity.
To ensure that vital public investment is provided for our people, my Department is 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 reforms will ensure Ireland remains competitive and resilient, delivering transformative infrastructure for Ireland’s future and leading to better outcomes for people and communities across the country.
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