Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD, the Minister for the Environment, Climate Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan TD and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, today (Monday), launched the new National Development Plan 2021-2030 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Today’s publication outlines the largest National Development Plan ever delivered in the history of the State – €165 billion – with a particular focus on priority solutions to strengthen housing, climate ambitions, transport, healthcare, jobs growth in every region and economic renewal for the decade ahead. This plan will prepare us for population growth of approximately 1 million between 2016 and 2040, and help us to deal with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit.
Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“Government is committing significant additional funding and an increased level of ambition for collaborative cross-border investment under the Shared Island initiative. The €500m Shared Island Fund will be doubled out to 2030, and total all-island investment, including through the Shared Island Fund, the Project Ireland 2040 funds, the government’s annual funding for North/South cooperation, and the PEACE PLUS programme delivered with the EU, UK and Northern Ireland Executive, is more than €3.5 billion.”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said:
“We need to anticipate what the Ireland of 2040 will look like – what our jobs will be like, how we will travel, how we will live. With a rapidly rising population, Ireland needs to invest big in infrastructure.
“Since 2017, the percentage of Gross National Income committed to public infrastructure has risen from 2.5% to about 4.5%. That’s now substantially higher than the EU average and well ahead of our peers like The Netherlands and Denmark.
“This updated NDP will see this level of investment continue and grow to 5% of GNI, from €12.7bn this year to €19.3bn in 2030. We are investing in the future and going for growth”
Minister Ryan said:
“This is a plan for a cleaner, greener, connected Ireland, a plan that supports communities and our climate goal – to cut emissions in half by 2030 – and creates a new green and digital economy.
“We’re making the biggest investment in transport in the history of the State – €35 billion over the decade – prioritising walking, cycling and public transport.
“Up to 80% of our electricity will come from renewables by 2030, and the NDP includes enhanced investment to make half a million homes warmer and cheaper to heat. We’re also bringing broadband to all parts of rural Ireland no matter how remote. This is a plan for a new Ireland; this will be a decade of change.”
Minister McGrath said:
“With an investment of €165 billion this will be the largest and greenest National Development Plan in the history of the State. The NDP is the culmination of significant analysis and consultation, with extensive engagement across government departments and stakeholders over the past year. It is built on a strong evidence base that allowed Government to shape this strategically important Plan for our country.
“The NDP is ambitious, with record levels of investment, but it is achievable. This ten year plan will deliver for our country. It will build a more resilient, sustainable future to improve lives and living standards for all of our people.”
