Press release
Minister Donohoe publishes the Prospects 2024/2025 report
From Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, has today (7 November 2024) published the Prospects 2024-2025 report which highlights 50 projects that make up Project Ireland 2040. This report aims to provide further visibility on Ireland’s priority infrastructure over the coming years, facilitating firms to plan commercial bids for these major infrastructure projects.
Prospects sets out a clear pipeline for some of the projects that comprise Project Ireland 2040. This pipeline spans a wide range of projects, from those that are currently at planning and appraisal stage to projects that are completing construction this year. Prospects offers the chance to look ahead and to see what infrastructure is planned for the coming years to support Ireland’s growth. It also provides construction firms in Ireland, the EU and internationally an opportunity to consider the role they can play in delivering these projects.
The report outlines information about infrastructure projects that will be delivered as part of Project Ireland 2040, including:
Speaking about the publication, Minister Donohoe said:
“I’m very pleased to welcome the publication of Prospects 2024/2025. Prospects sets out a clear pipeline for 50 individual projects that make up Project Ireland 2040. We need the construction industry, in Ireland, the EU and internationally, to consider the role that they can play in delivering the projects outlined in Prospects. Ireland needs competitive, dynamic, and sustainable construction firms that can deliver high quality physical infrastructure.
“Our capital plan is underpinned by €165 billion through the NDP. Indeed, we are investing sums well above EU norms in the current and future years of the NDP. Total capital investment in 2025 will be almost €15 billion - the highest annual spend to date in this country.
“The Construction Sector Group (CSG), overseen by my department, ensures regular and open dialogue between government and industry on how best to achieve and maintain a sustainable and innovative construction sector. The CSG's Innovation and Digital Adoption Sub-Group continues to drive the delivery of its priority actions. The Build Digital Project is developing Building Information Modelling (BIM) templates and guidance for the industry in line with the Building Information Modelling requirements for Public Works Contracts. Construct Innovate is providing cutting edge research to make Ireland a global leader for sustainable construction and built environment technology, and the Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) will showcase innovative building techniques in Mount Lucas.
"Finally, as Chair of the Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board, my primary focus is on measures that can assist in removing bottlenecks to delivering on the priorities outlined in the NDP. The Board has discussed a range of issues to date such as the backlog in planning applications and the restructuring of An Bord Pleanála to An Coimisiún Pleanála. The Prospects report provides a line of sight to the construction industry in terms of our commitment to the delivery of critical infrastructure over the next number of years.”
In March 2023, Minister Donohoe announced a package of reforms aimed at enhancing project delivery for the National Development Plan (NDP).
As part of these reforms, the Public Spending Code, which set out the approvals process for new projects, has been replaced by a set of Infrastructure Guidelines.
Additionally, significant reforms have been introduced to the Capital Works Management Framework, including liability caps, further amendments to the price variation clauses and amendments to the template tender documentation.
Since January 2024, consultants engaged to design and oversee the construction of PWCs with a value in excess of €100 million have Building Information Modelling (BIM) requirements included in their scope of service.
Additionally, the International Cost Management Standard (ICMS) has been adopted to enable consistent reporting of costs, life cycle costs and life cycle analysis including embodied carbon.