Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is aware of the move to reclassify the Border region (details supplied) which will see a reduction in EU funding for major infrastructure projects here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17372/26]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government and is at the heart of Project Ireland 2040, which includes the National Planning Framework (NPF) setting out the overarching spatial strategy for the next twenty years, along with the National Development Plan. In addition, EU Cohesion Policy Funds and other Government expenditure also contribute to the goal of delivering economic, social and territorial development.

With regard to the size and composition of regions, EU Cohesion Policy Funds are calculated and allocated on the basis NUTS 2 regions which are intermediate-level territorial units defined by Eurostat for EU regional statistics and policy application, with populations ranging from a minimum of 800,000 to a maximum 3 million people. The NUTS 2 regional composition for the purposes of the current post 2027 negotiations are based on the existing structures and are not subject to change.

The proposals relating to post 2027 classification of the regions and any associated financial allocations are currently based on draft legislative proposals prepared and issued by the Commission as part of the overall 2028 – 2034 Multiannual Financial Framework – the 7-year budget for the European Union which were issued in mid-2025 and are currently being negotiated. The proposed change in the classification of the Northern & Western Region for the purposes of EU Cohesion Policy funds from a region in “transition” to a “more developed” region arises because the average GDP per head or the region has risen above 100 % (104%) of the average GDP per capita of the EU-27. While this is still behind other regions in Ireland, it is critical that this momentum is maintained. I believe that the ongoing delivery of Project Ireland 2040 alongside EU support will help to ensure this.

Since Project Ireland 2040 was first launched in 2018, the Government has overseen the delivery of many impactful NDP projects across the country, including in the Northern and Western Region. For example, the Dungloe to Glenties road and the Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway in Donegal, the Collooney to Castlebaldwin road and the Eastern Garavogue Bridge in Sligo, the Northern Counties Railway Greenway from Sligo Town through to Blacklion in Cavan and then onto Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. Libraries and Courthouses were expanded on in Cavan and Donegal, mental health services were delivered in Sligo and residential care centres developed in Leitrim and Monaghan and investment in town centres and urban regeneration projects were completed across the region.

With regard to further details of investments in the region Government Departments have published sectoral investment plans setting out the capital projects to be prioritised from 2026 to 2030. These plans provide visibility of the delivery pipeline, giving construction firms the certainty they need to invest in hiring, training, and scaling their operations. In developing these sectoral plans, departments were required to demonstrate how their proposed investments align with the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF). This ensures that increased capital spending supports balanced regional development.

These sectoral plans are available on each Departmental webpage on the gov.ie website and will provide the Deputy with further detail on a sectoral basis. These can be assessed for projects across the country – and include for example the Ballyjamesduff Wastewater treatment plant upgrade and the Further Education and Training programme at Cavan Institute in Cavan, investment in the Ten T roads project and Atlantic Technological University in Donegal, the Ardee to Castleblaney South road in Monaghan and investment in the Mayo Sligo Leitrim Further Education and Training Centre at Mohill.

It is important to note that for the existing 2021/27 programming period there will be absolutely no change to the classification of the Northern and Western Region which will remain a region in transition. In line with balanced regional development, any change in designation by the European Commission for the post 2027 period would not affect project selection or implementation. In addition, the Northern and Western Region will continue to benefit from both EU Cohesion policy funds, direct CAP payments, LEADER, Horizon Europe and the cross-border PEACEPLUS programme.