Minister Chambers announces further changes to support accelerated infrastructure delivery

• Circular to be issued to all Departments to strengthen communication on the benefits of Infrastructure
• Approach aims to tackle opposition and deliver infrastructure faster by better identifying and communicating the benefits of critical projects
• Approach will also supports better communicating the cost of inaction. For example, without Metrolink and other planned transport, a failure to deliver will cost an estimated additional €2billion per annum with increased congestion and lost time on commutes by 2033.
• Minister Chambers is also announcing the publication of guidance for regulators of critical infrastructure which will identify bottlenecks, optimise processes and track reforms.

The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD announces two updates as part of the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan (AIRAP). These will enhance transparency, strengthen communication with the public and support evidence-informed regulatory reform.

Announcing the publications, Minister Chambers said:

“The Benefits Realisation Framework will place an emphasis on communicating benefits of critical infrastructure and costs of inaction at the heart of project delivery. It will enable Departments and utilities to communicate in clear, understandable language around the value of infrastructure investment for local communities.

“It will help people to better understand how infrastructure improves daily life, supports housing delivery, and contributes to economic and social progress.”

“In addition, a clear, transparent and efficient regulatory system is essential to underpinning the delivery of critical infrastructure in our country. New guidance published by my Department outlines best practice approaches for regulators in benchmarking and tracking performance, setting and monitoring KPIs and other metrics to support clarity, coordination and standardisation in the regulatory environment for infrastructure delivery.

“Setting clear targets and monitoring performance improves accountability, helps to identify delays and ensures that the reforms we are progressing to unlock infrastructure delivery are underpinned by real data.”

Benefits Realisation Framework for Infrastructure

The Benefits Realisation Framework establishes a consistent approach to how the benefits of infrastructure investment are communicated. It gives effect to Action 30 of AIRAP, which commits to improving how the societal value of infrastructure is described and understood.

Capital projects undergo detailed and robust appraisal under the Infrastructure Guidelines, including the identification and assessment of economic, social and environmental benefits. However, this technical analysis is designed to support decision-making processes. The new Benefits Realisation Framework ensures that the same data on benefits is made meaningful for people in their day-to-day lives.

The Framework requires that public engagement and communications on capital works set out both the direct impacts of infrastructure projects and the wider economic and social benefits they enable, with a priority focus on how infrastructure works either directly deliver, or facilitate, delivery of housing.

The Framework also introduces a requirement to articulate the costs of inaction, providing greater transparency on the consequences of not proceeding with infrastructure projects.

Public Sector Bodies involved in the sponsoring, funding and/or public engagement and communication of public infrastructure will be required to apply the Framework, through early and ongoing collaboration between policy, technical and communications teams to ensure that benefits identified in appraisal documentation are translated effectively for public engagement.

The Framework does not alter or add to the appraisal requirements under the Infrastructure Guidelines. Instead, it ensures that the information produced through the project lifecycle is used effectively for engagement on capital works.

The Framework is supported by:

• A policy and principles document;
• A practical “How To” guide;
• A Benefits Blueprint tool.

These supports are designed to help Public Sector Bodies embed the approach into project development, business case preparation, and public engagement and communications.

Communicating the Benefits of Infrastructure

• Metrolink directly supports around 31,700 additional housing units and unlocks development potential for over 9,000 hectares of land.
• Water: GDD supports delivery of up to 185,000 homes, and wastewater services for half a million people, addressing the expected increase of 50% in wastewater generated in greater Dublin by 2050. Eastern and Midlands Water Supply project: serves around 900,000 homes.

Communicating the Costs of Inaction

• Without Metrolink and other planned transport, a failure to deliver will cost an estimated additional €2billion per annum with increased congestion and lost time on commutes by 2033.
• Not delivering the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project will lead to a 34% deficit in water supply by 2044.
• The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme in Cork is a live example of how important it is to communicate what happens without these protections to mitigate local opposition to works. As well as likely more than €140million worth of damage to the 900 homes and 1,200 business in the wake of flooding, the planed scheme will protect an estimated €1billion worth of property assets – without this scheme the ongoing economic cost of lost businesses, and increased stress would be even greater still.

Best Practice KPI Guidance for Regulators of Critical Infrastructure

The Minister has also announced the publication of Best Practice KPI Guidance for Regulators of Critical Infrastructure.

The Guidance provides a useful tool for regulators of critical infrastructure permitting in streamlining processes and monitoring the impact of regulatory reforms. Monitoring and tracking of performance is important to identify bottlenecks, optimise processes and track reforms.

It sets out best practice for Public Sector Bodies in setting and tracking Key performance indicators (KPIs) and other metrics to support clarity, coordination and standardisation in the regulatory environment for infrastructure delivery.

The Guidance includes:

• Best practice principles for setting KPI targets;
• Types of KPIs and metrics that improve clarity for stakeholders and enhance understanding of the impacts of regulatory reforms for critical infrastructure; and
• Best practice approaches to KPI and metric reporting.

Coherent and regular monitoring of KPIs enhances transparency, strengthens stakeholder confidence, and supports evidence-based reform. This will support the streamlining of the regulatory system and the accelerated delivery of critical national infrastructure.

The publication of the Best Practice KPI Guidance and the Benefits Realisation Framework represent another step forward in delivering on the Government’s commitment to accelerate infrastructure delivery, enhance regulatory effectiveness, and strengthen public confidence in capital investment programmes.