The Irish Government is preparing to unveil a revised National Development Plan (NDP) that will inject up to €30 billion in additional funding into the country’s infrastructure between 2026 and 2030, bringing total planned investment to nearly €100 billion over the next five to six years.
Coalition leaders and senior ministers met Monday evening to finalise details of the ambitious spending package, which aims to accelerate improvements in key areas such as housing, energy, water, and transport.
The extra funding, partly sourced from the sale of AIB shares and back-tax payments from technology giant Apple, represents what Tánaiste Simon Harris has described as a “step change” in infrastructure development. Speaking to Fine Gael members in Longford on Monday, Harris said the plan would deliver on his party’s pledge to find better ways of providing critical infrastructure.
The revised NDP is expected to be formally published on Tuesday, setting out departmental capital ceilings up to 2030 and laying the foundation for investment plans through 2035.
Among the key projects earmarked for the additional funding is the long-delayed MetroLink in Dublin, along with major upgrades to water and wastewater systems and critical improvements to the national electricity grid. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said €10 billion will be specifically allocated to these three areas.
“This revised NDP gives us an opportunity for transformation and investment,” Chambers said in an interview with RTÉ’s This Week. “We’re prioritising capital investment as part of our medium-term economic planning to meet infrastructure demands that cannot be delayed any further.”
Uisce Éireann, Ireland’s national water utility, has requested an additional €2 billion in capital funding on top of the €10.3 billion already committed, while ESB Networks is seeking a €1 billion equity injection to support its €13.4 billion investment programme. EirGrid, which operates the electricity transmission system, is also expected to receive additional backing.
The NDP review follows extensive bilateral discussions between government departments and the Department of Public Expenditure, as well as a public consultation. Ministers will now prepare to outline department-specific spending priorities in the lead-up to Budget 2026, due in October.
In addition to funding, the plan will also include proposals for overhauling Ireland’s infrastructure delivery systems. The goal is to streamline project timelines, reduce costs, and improve value for taxpayers.
However, broader economic risks remain on the horizon. Minister Chambers is expected to warn the Cabinet this week about growing global trade tensions and the potential impact of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, describing them as a “significant risk” to Ireland’s competitiveness.
To mitigate these challenges, the Government views strengthening national infrastructure as a critical pillar for long-term economic resilience.
