Dublin, 22 July 2025 — The Irish government has greenlit a revised National Development Plan (NDP), signalling a historic shift in infrastructure investment.
This revised NDP marks a watershed moment for Ireland's infrastructure policy—moving beyond past "wish list" criticisms to deliverable, high-priority investment. Key observations:
Core Details
- Total Investment:
- €200 billion over the next decade, covering 2026–2035, combining existing allocations with fresh funding sources like the Apple tax windfall and AIB share sales gov.ie+2AInvest+2BreakingNews.ie+2.
- Short-Term Focus (2026–2030):
- €100 billion earmarked, with a similar sum anticipated for 2030–2035 Lillis Egan O'Beirn & Co.AInvest.
Sectoral Breakdown: Major Project Areas
Housing & Water Infrastructure
- Housing:
- €35.955 billion allocated for housing (2026–2030), with an additional €7.68 billion dedicated to water systems The Times+15TheJournal.ie+15BreakingNews.ie+15.
- Government targeting 300,000 new homes, including 12,000 social housing units annually by 2030 TheJournal.ie.
- Water Services:
- A total of €12 billion committed to water and wastewater infrastructure—comprising €2 billion in 2025 and €2.5 billion for 2026–2030— on top of prior budget provisions Wikipedia+15TheJournal.ie+15BreakingNews.ie+15.
Transport
- Transport Spending:
- €24.3 billion directed at transport projects, including low-carbon initiatives like MetroLink, financed via the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Wikipedia+4BreakingNews.ie+4Wikipedia+4.
Energy
- Energy Infrastructure:
- €3.5 billion equity funding allocated in 2025 for energy networks, supporting ESB Networks and EirGrid—crucial to underpin housing and competitiveness targets BreakingNews.ie+1TheJournal.ie+1.
Fiscal Resource & Strategic Rationale
- The government is tapping into a €14 billion Apple corporate tax windfall, among other sources, to fund the expanded infrastructure spend Reuters+1AInvest+1.
- The decision responds to longstanding concerns: the IMF has previously warned Ireland’s infrastructure stocks lag peer nations by around 32% Reuters.
- Leaders stressed an urgency to deliver transformational public investment in energy, water, housing, and transport during a time of global uncertainty The Sun+15Lillis Egan O'Beirn & Co.+15Reuters+15.
Summary Table
| Theme | Details (2026–2030 unless otherwise noted) |
|---|---|
| Total NDP Value | €200 bn over 2026–2035 |
| Short-Term Allocation | €100 bn |
| Housing | €35.955 bn total; aims for 300,000 homes, incl. 12,000 social annually |
| Water Infrastructure | €12 bn including extra funding beyond core NDP |
| Transport | €24.3 bn for projects like MetroLink |
| Energy Networks | €3.5 bn equity funding in ESB/EirGrid |
| Funding Mechanism | Multinational tax windfalls, asset sales, state funds |
Economic & Political Significance
This revised NDP marks a watershed moment for Ireland's infrastructure policy—moving beyond past "wish list" criticisms to deliverable, high-priority investment. Key observations:- Housing-Centric Focus: Bold commitments addressing both quantity and foundational infrastructure to support supply.
- Clamping Down on Deficits: A major effort to close the infrastructure gap flagged by international economic bodies.
- Climate & Sustainability Aligned: Prioritising low-carbon transport and resilient utilities.
- Fiscal Prudence Meets Vision: Utilises extraordinary corporate tax receipts while emphasising implementation realism amid global headwinds.
