The review of the National Development Plan is currently ongoing.
As part of the Programme for Government the review was brought forward to 2021 in order to assess the resourcing requirements for the most important challenges facing us as a nation including climate action, infrastructural challenges, housing, balanced regional development (as set out in the National Planning Framework and including of the northern and western region), healthcare, social welfare policy, transport, and education.
The first phase commenced in October 2020, which included the public consultation, Review to Renew, as well as further evidence-gathering by way of sectoral submissions for Departments and a series of technical papers. As part of the public consultation a submission was received from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.
The results of Phase 1 were published in a report on April 4 2021 on my Department's website.
In addition, David Minton, the CEO of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, was invited to take part as a panellist at this year's annual conference for the National Investment Office entitled "Nation Building: Ireland's Infrastructure Priorities" which was held online on 14th May 2021.
The technical and consultative work carried out as part of Phase 1 forms the evidence base to underpin the decisions to be taken in Phase 2 of the NDP.
The objective of Phase 2 of the NDP is to set out revised sectoral capital allocations for the upcoming 10-year period, including non-Exchequer investment, as well as providing a renewed focus on delivery of efficient and cost-effective public infrastructure. The range of indicated sectoral priorities will be identified as part of the final revised NDP.
Engagement is ongoing with Departments in this regard with a view to progressing this work over the coming period. The overall timetable in this regard, and as regards publication of the revised NDP, will naturally be coordinated with other Government policy initiatives which have a bearing upon our overall capital and infrastructure priorities.
It should be noted that DPER, in carrying out its role in coordinating the NDP review, does not consider the merit of individual projects or sectoral policy strategies (e.g. on enterprise, research and innovation) as this is primarily a matter for the relevant individual Departments and Agencies (e.g. the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science).
