Government slammed for 'vague' €275.4 billion National Development Plan

Irish Daily Mirror

2 days ago

The government's announcement of the €275.4 billion National Development Plan (NDP) has been slammed as ministers have been accused of keeping it vague due to an expected lacklustre budget.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Independent TD Seán Canney announced funding proposals for the latest NDP on Tuesday. It's the government's long-term plan for large-scale infrastructure projects, covering the period up to 2035.
The plan is reworked and reviewed every few years. Despite this being the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State, the government has been slammed for the 'unusual' decision to provide few details on the projects.
This could be down to an expected disappointing upcoming budget, as politicians may want to save the details of exciting projects until then. However, the Taoiseach said this lack of detail was done purposely to give ministers a chance to draw up a list of projects, with announcements coming 'closer to the budget'.
Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Dr Alan Barrett said it's difficult for anyone to sink their teeth into this report as it's so vague.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne on Tuesday, he said: 'We have been used to over the years getting the details of the projects, why it's not happening on this occasion we are not entirely sure.
'Today's document reminds me of the annual estimates process, where departments are being given an indication of what their allocation is going to be.
"The idea that now we are having a document with a significant amount of money being launched but not getting a clear sense of what the projects are - but perhaps more importantly the extent at which they relate to one another - that is a little concern I would have today.'
Despite economic experts and the opposition finding the lack of details in the NDP disappointing, here is what we know so far:
Housing
From 2026 to 2030, the government plans to invest €35.955 billion in housing, with Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers saying housing is the main priority. The Taoiseach echoed this as he outlined a target of 300,000 new homes in this timeframe, with 12,000 a year being social housing. Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister Jack Chambers announcing details of the revised National Development Plan and the Summer Economic Statement at Government Buildings (Image: Stephen Collins / Collins Photos)
This is in line with the current Programme for Government targets. Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne said 'throwing billions of euros at the housing crisis without announcing a radical reset in policy" is not going to work.
He added that the NDP 'gives no indication that the government is planning to move away from the measures that have plagued housing provision in the last decade". Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin said the plan will not result in "increased delivery of social and affordable homes".
Water
A total of €12 billion - outside of the housing allocation - has been earmarked for water infrastructure development. The Taoiseach said this investment is critical to 'support new house building industrial development and regional growth'.
Health
Some €9.25 billion has been allocated to the health service under the NDP, which is almost double the investment of the previous plan in 2021. There is little detail on projects this will be used on, as the new plan outlined seven previous health projects that have been completed under the NDP in the last three years.
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has welcomed this allocation to the sector. However, with little detail on projects, it has called on Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to ringfence the required funding for the implementation of Electronic Health Records and prioritise the rapid expansion of our current hospital capacity.
Transport
Some €24.33 billion is being invested into transport up to 2030, with €2 million earmarked for 'low-carbon transportation projects'. This includes the MetroLink underground line for Dublin. However, it's not expected that construction will begin until at least 2028.
However, €2.2 billion has been slammed as 'not enough' by some, including Labour's transport spokesperson Ciarán Ahern. He said: 'MetroLink is supposed to be the country's flagship public transport project and €2 billion is no small sum, but in the context of the overall cost of the project, it's nowhere near enough.
"We're talking about a fraction of what's actually required to see this project through." There is no mention in the NDP of other projects that the money will be used on with respect to other public transport services such as buses or trains.
Climate and energy
Exchequer funding of €5.6 billion has been allocated to climate and energy, as the Taoiseach said expanding investment here is 'critical to our national security and to realising the enormous potential of AI to future economic development'. The government is increasing its equity shareholdings in ESB to €1.5 billion and EirGrid to €2 billion, which was widely welcomed by both.
Education
The Department of Education and Youth is receiving €7.55 billion in the new NDP. It will be used to facilitate the construction of school places in primary, post-primary, special classes and special schools between 2026 and 2030.
A further €4.55 billion is allocated to higher and further education.
Culture, Communication and Sport
Some €2.22 billion has been earmarked for this department, however, there isn't yet any information on how the funding will be used.
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