Last week, the Government published the accelerating infrastructure report and action plan. It is a comprehensive programme of actions designed to speed up the delivery of critical infrastructure across the State. This action plan responds to well-documented challenges of lengthy development timelines, fragmented processes and rising costs. These have all been identified as major barriers to achieving Ireland’s housing, energy and climate objectives. The report is evidence-based. It is built on the research and analysis of my Department, the views received during the public consultation and stakeholder engagement undertaken by my Department over the summer, and expert input and advice from the members of the accelerating infrastructure task force. The plan sets out 30 targeted actions grouped under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform. The actions address the 12 barriers to the timely delivery of infrastructure that were highlighted in the report published by my Department in July. A four-week online and in-person public consultation last summer supported the preparation of that report published in July by providing an opportunity for stakeholders and the general public from across the country to feed into this work. I hosted events during this consultation period, including a regional event in Athlone. The actions selected represent a transformative approach to streamlining development processes and significantly reducing delivery timelines, ensuring a more efficient and timely delivery of critical infrastructure nationwide. Together, these actions will ensure that the record investment under the national development plan translates into faster, more efficient delivery of housing, energy and transport infrastructure, supporting Ireland’s economic growth, climate commitments and Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This will benefit every county and region of Ireland, as infrastructure projects play an essential role in supporting Ireland’s balanced economic growth and meeting the demands of a rapidly expanding population. There are considerable infrastructure projects under way in the mid-east region that will benefit from improvements in delivery, including for example the Louth 220 kV station refurbishment project and the proposed Slane and Ardee bypasses.

Sentiment score: 0.30

I appreciate the Deputy's advocacy for the Navan rail line. We have been there and have had extensive engagement with the Deputy's constituency on it. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has published the transport sectoral plan, which sets out the funding allocations for the next five years. He is keen to advance a lot of the ambition we have in the regions on rail infrastructure in particular. We have an allocation of €24 billion in the next five years for capital investment in transport infrastructure and there has been a massive uplift over the last five years. That gives significant scope to drive delivery of improved public transport, develop our road network, enhance active travel and deliver many of the projects that have been on lists for multiple years. The Minister can respond on the direct timelines, but Irish Rail are also working on this.

Sentiment score: 0.28

The Single Public Service Pension Scheme is a statutory public service career-average defined benefit pension scheme. It was established under the public service pensions Act 2012. The provisions of the scheme are clearly set out in law. All new-entrant public servants hired after 1 January 2013 are members of the single scheme. The introduction of the scheme is instrumental in ensuring the sustainability of public service pensions, particularly in the context of improved life expectancy and rising public service employee numbers. As the single scheme uses a career-averaging model, members' retirement benefits are based on a percentage of their pensionable earnings throughout their public service careers. For each pay period, members accrue amounts towards their retirement benefits. The total accrued at retirement, with adjustments for inflation, determines their final retirement benefits. This is payable in addition to any social welfare pension entitlement. Uniformed members, including firefighters, prison officers, gardaí and members of the Defence Forces, have enhanced benefits that other single scheme members do not have. Uniformed staff can accrue more benefits over their expected shorter public service careers in recognition of their retirement age. When uniformed staff reach normal retirement age, they can retire and receive their retirement lump sum and occupational pension benefit payments. While single scheme pension benefits are integrated with the contributory State pension, these benefits are separate and additional to any entitlement they may have to the State pension, which is paid from the age of 66 by the Department of Social Protection. In 2024, the Government enacted legislation to allow for an increase in the mandatory retirement age for uniformed staff to 62, if they wish to avail of it. It also allows uniformed staff to build up additional referrable amounts towards their single scheme pension for additional years worked, increasing its final value. A supplementary pension was never a feature of the single scheme, nor was it planned to be. No commitment has been made by the Government in relation to supplementary pensions for single scheme fast accrual members.

Sentiment score: 0.31

The Single Public Service Pension Scheme, introduced in 2013, was one of the biggest ever pension reforms. Part of what we are trying to do is ensure we have sustainability of pension provision and can pay for this over the longer term. The work that has been undertaken to increase the mandatory retirement age for uniformed staff also helps in the context of workforce planning and to give certainty to uniformed staff, where they can build up additional referrable amounts towards their single scheme pension for any additional years worked, increasing its final value. Work is also ongoing in the context of the respective pay agreements we have to improve the pay and conditions of uniformed staff and as a retention measure for members across the public service. That work is ongoing, with direct engagement with the respective bodies. This was an important reform. It has been there for nearly 12 years. It is important in the context of sustainability of State pensions.

Sentiment score: 0.37

The increase in the mandatory retirement age helps and makes a difference. It is part of what we are trying to do. It improves the overall end pension in terms of referrable amounts towards the single scheme pension. Another issue raised during the engagement with workers was that of basic pay and conditions, which we engage on in the context of the respective pay agreements. There is well-documented evidence on the need to ensure we have a sustainable pension system we can pay for in the long term. That is why retaining this in the context of future reforms is critical to ensuring we can manage the long-term sustainability of it. It is important to look at it in the round. We have strong engagement with trade unions in the context of the public service pay agreements. To fundamentally undermine and disrupt the Single Public Service Pension Scheme would have implications for paying for this in the long term. I am sure the Deputy has read the "Future Forty: A Fiscal and Economic Outlook to 2065" report published by the Department of Finance on the need to manage the inevitable demographic shift that will happen in the Irish economy in the long term.

Sentiment score: 0.31

The gross Exchequer estimated pay bill for Ireland's public service is €30.4 billion for 2026. In terms of staffing, forecast numbers in 2026 are just under 439,400 full-time equivalent public servants. This is the highest ever level of employment in the public service. Overall, the pay bill is a function of public service numbers and the costs associated with public service pay agreements. The current agreement, Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, was agreed in January 2024 and ratified by public service unions and representative associations in March 2024. This agreement achieves a balanced approach to public service pay in the context of both the State's fiscal position and the broader economic environment. The agreement provides for general round increases totalling 9.25% and a provision for local bargaining of 1% of the basic pay cost. In total, the agreement will cost approximately €3.6 billion spread over four budget years. There is a complex multiplicity of pension arrangements within the Irish public service, encompassing schemes with differing provisions that apply to staff recruited prior to 1995, post 1995 and post 2004, as well as the Single Public Service Pension Scheme introduced in 2013. The gross Exchequer pension bill in 2026 is estimated to be €4.9 billion, which will support a projected 200,700 public service pensioners. The latest value of the State’s accrued-to-date liability in respect of public service retirement benefits for active employees, pensioners and deferred members has been calculated as €175.7 billion. This will fall to be paid over the next 70 years or so. Northern Ireland’s pay and pensions are subject to different arrangements, with different grades, pay scales, premium payments and superannuation payments. An assessment of pension costs requires individual member data along with detailed data on the varied pension scheme rules and entitlements by sector, for example, the civil service, health, education and local authority sectors. Such an exercise constitutes a complex and substantial analytical undertaking.

Sentiment score: 0.19

Such an exercise constitutes a complex and substantial analytical undertaking requiring access to detailed, contemporaneous micro-level data on the pay structures and pensions of both current and former employees in order to accurately assess the full costs. It also involves a range of assumptions in relation to the pay and pensions policy implications. My Department does not have access to the required level of detailed data relating to the remuneration and pension arrangements of public servants in Northern Ireland to set out that context. I have some macro data here. We know that the total size of the public service of Northern Ireland, inclusive of civil service, health, education, police and local government employees, is estimated to indicate approximately 227,500 in October 2025. The annual pay bill is estimated to be approximately 14.4 billion for core civil service and departmental staff. I have been told that this increases to approximately £18 billion when the wider public services are included. Total public expenditure for the Northern Ireland Executive is estimated at €32 billion in 2025. I have set out some high-level data from the team who assessed the Deputy's question. It would require a lot more specific and micro-level data to answer it, however.

Sentiment score: -0.01

That is why I stated that to give an accurate picture would require a detailed analytical assessment. Pay and pension provisions are subject to different arrangements across different grades, pay scales, premium payments and superannuation payments. In the context of the Deputy's question, we have not been able to put a number beside the information he has requested. That would be an important consideration.

Sentiment score: 0.02

As part of the budgetary process each year, my Department sets out overall expenditure ceilings for each ministerial Vote group. These are laid out at Vote level in the budget day expenditure report published in October, with further detail provided in the Revised Estimates for Public Services published in December. Following the allocation of each ministerial expenditure ceiling, it is a matter for each Minister to assign funding as appropriate at programme and subhead level for their Departments and the agencies under their remit, accounting for the demands for services in different areas and regions, having regard to demographics and other relevant factors. Within this process, both current and capital expenditure are allocated on a departmental rather than geographic basis. More broadly, the achievement of balanced regional development is a key priority of this Government in Project Ireland 2040, which includes the national planning framework and the national development plan. Since Project Ireland 2040 was launched in 2018, the Government has overseen the delivery of many impactful NDP projects across the country, including in the west of Ireland, for example, the enterprise centres in Boyle and Tulsk in County Roscommon and Belmullet and Swinford in County Mayo, the N59 Moycullen bypass, the Salmon Weir bridge in County Galway, the Killaloe bypass in County Clare, the heritage and tourism projects in Portumna, Galway and Aghleam, Mayo and many other capital projects. The NDP review 2025 was published on 22 July 2025. It committed €275.4 billion up to 2035, the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. Arising from this, €19.1 billion in Exchequer capital investment will be provided in 2026. On budget day, Ministers set out the capital projects and programmes that they will prioritise within their allocation in 2026. In recent weeks, Ministers have developed sectoral plans for priority investment programmes. Many of these projects relate to the west, including the Uisce Éireann upgrade of water and wastewater treatment plants in Lough Mask and Claremorris in County Mayo, 35 social and 310 affordable housing units in Crowne Square in Galway, new transport infrastructure with Bus Connects Galway and the Galway city ring road. I can list many more.

Sentiment score: 0.05

I am familiar with those elements of the west of Ireland, in Galway, Mayo and elsewhere. The west is being prioritised in many of the projects set out in the sectoral investment plans. There is the social and affordable housing delivery we want to ramp up in the context of the housing sectoral plan that the Minister, Deputy Browne, has published. The transport sectoral plan will significantly enhance public transport and there address road infrastructure projects across the west, which have been waiting for years. There is also the resilience the Deputy mentioned in the context of storms and other issues. The Minister of State, Deputy Moran, through the work the OPW is doing, is front-loading a lot of the capital investment in flooding and other areas to make sure we build greater resilience. Similarly, there is work happening on other infrastructure across many Departments. This is agreed at a sectoral level. The wider funding arrangements are clear in Project Ireland 2040, as is ensuring balanced regional development.

Sentiment score: 0.17

On the latter point, I am following up on that with Irish Water in the context of wastewater treatment plants. There has been a funding increase. I can get a specific answer to the question for the Deputy. I am aware of the importance of the issue to local towns and villages in County Galway. To the other point on resilience of critical infrastructure, a recent Cabinet committee meeting focused on the learnings from Storm Éowyn, the greater prevalence of storms and the impact this is having on basic infrastructure. It is a critical point of co-ordination across government on building better resilience into our basic infrastructure systems and also ensuring response in respect of community resilience. There is a strong focus on co-ordination in the work the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, is doing as well.

Sentiment score: 0.35

I thank Deputy McCormack for his question. Last week, the Government published the accelerating infrastructure report and action plan. This is a comprehensive programme of actions designed to speed up the delivery of critical infrastructure across the State. This action plan responds to well-documented challenges of lengthy development timelines, fragmented processes and rising costs. These have all been identified as major barriers to achieving Ireland’s housing, energy and climate objectives. The report is evidence-based. It has been built on the research and analysis of my Department, the views received during the public consultation and stakeholder engagement undertaken by my Department over the summer and the expert input and advice from the members of the accelerating infrastructure task force. The plan sets out 30 targeted actions grouped under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform. The actions address the 12 barriers to the timely delivery of infrastructure that were highlighted in the report published by my Department in July. A four-week online and in-person public consultation last summer supported the preparation of that report published in July by providing an opportunity for stakeholders and the general public from across the country to feed into this work. I hosted events during this consultation period, including a regional event in Athlone. The actions selected represent a transformative approach to streamlining development processes and significantly reducing delivery timelines, ensuring a more efficient and timely delivery of critical infrastructure nationwide. Together, these actions will ensure the record investment under the national development plan translates into faster, more efficient delivery of housing, energy and transport infrastructure, supporting Ireland’s economic growth, climate commitments and Delivering Homes, Building Communities. This will benefit every county and region of Ireland, as infrastructure projects play an essential role in supporting Ireland’s balanced economic growth and meeting the demands of a rapidly expanding population. There are considerable infrastructure projects under way in County Offaly. I am sure the Deputy is aware of the Edenderry wastewater treatment plant, a number of regeneration projects and education and schools' projects across the county and the work being undertaken in the context of transport investment.

Sentiment score: 0.27

We are keen to ensure all infrastructure in the State, including in County Offaly, is accelerated. At present, it takes 15 years to build a road and it can take up to ten years to deliver wastewater and water infrastructure and seven or eight years for electricity or energy infrastructure. These timelines are all too long to meet the growing demands of our population and economy. As regards the eastern midlands water supply project, which is of interest to the Deputy, this is an issue on which we can engage with Irish Water. Obviously, it is critical that we advance the project for the east and midlands more generally. Irish Water is working through how it can accelerate the planning of the project and ensure it can commence. Whatever can be done to drive its delivery will be critical for the future development and growth of the east, as well as ensuring basic water supply. I will ask the project design team to respond directly to the Deputy on the issues with phasing or sequencing.

Sentiment score: 0.29

To respond first to Deputy McCormack, again, the whole focus is on driving delivery. I take his point on the role of that particular project in the east and midlands. We will engage with Irish Water on it. Obviously, we do not want to delay the current design, which could possibly hold back the project by a number of years. There is a need to accelerate its delivery because it is a critical project for the State. To respond to Deputy Brennan, we have tried to complement the prioritisation we have given in the national development plan with social infrastructure. We have record levels of investment in transport infrastructure in the State of €24 billion. The Minister for housing, Deputy Browne, has also set out proposals for an infrastructure fund to try to complement housing delivery to support the broader infrastructure where there is significant housing development and having that enabling infrastructure. If we look at the overall capital allocation for education, for example, it is €7.5 billion over the next five years. This is to ensure we continue development of critical education infrastructure across the State. We have had record funding, for example, on sports capital to ensure we have sports infrastructure built in communities. This is something we are continuing to commit to.

Sentiment score: 0.13

The accelerating infrastructure report and action plan includes targeted reforms to certain types of developer-led infrastructure as set out under action 15. This action recognises that alongside record public investment under the national development plan, private sector delivery models may play a complementary role in certain circumstances. Specifically under action 15, the Government has committed to progressing regulatory reforms that allow developers to deliver certain types of electricity and water infrastructure, where this may result in faster or more efficient development with no degradation of standards. In relation to electricity, this means advancing regulations to enable private wire electricity connections in line with the Government's private wires policy statement. In relation to water, it means bringing forward measures for developers to deliver new, stand-alone wastewater treatment plants to bolster the service provided by Uisce Éireann to support increased levels of housing. Both of these activities are planned for completion in quarter two of 2026. It is explicitly committed to that any developer-led infrastructure will comply with environmental and technical standards and integrate with public systems, where appropriate. The Department of housing will lead on reforms relating to water infrastructure while the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment will lead on energy-based measures. Both Departments will work closely with utilities, local authorities, regulatory bodies and planning authorities to ensure that developer-led delivery is integrated effectively with statutory processes and national priorities.

Sentiment score: 0.33

The Deputy will have heard from the Minister, Deputy Browne, about wastewater treatment plants and the work on advancing that, which will be critical to improving overall housing supply. It will not be solely Irish Water but it will be something that will enhance wider water infrastructure across the State. Similarly, there is the work the Minister, Darragh O'Brien, is doing in respect of private wires, again ensuring we broaden and enable infrastructure development across the State, which will help. I am working with both Ministers in order that these reforms are advanced in 2026. Both will help in terms of overall housing supply but also in building greater investment in job opportunities across the State.

Sentiment score: 0.40

I appreciate the Deputy's remarks. We can make a serious impact next year in terms of the legal reforms, the regulatory reforms, and the co-ordination and delivery changes we are making while also making the case for greater public acceptance of infrastructure across the State, in particular across those critical areas of water, energy and transport. Part of that is reflected in the questions the Deputy has asked in terms of enabling developer-led infrastructure as well. I look forward to working with him next year on driving delivery.

Sentiment score: 0.34