14. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the new infrastructure report will benefit County Offaly, particularly in terms of investment and regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70413/25]

Sentiment score: 0.16

I thank the Minister. The accelerating infrastructure report and action plan outlines significant reforms aimed at improving delivery of major projects, including streamlining approval processes, a single decision pathway for water investment and stronger co-ordination across agencies. These reforms are welcome. For Offaly, infrastructure is key for future economic development, enterprise growth and balanced regional progress. The water supply project for the eastern and midlands region is central to this and will cross Offaly, with Dunkerrin and Tullamore identified for future outtakes. However, the spur connections and local system upgrades required to utilise that supply are currently planned in later phases. If delivered sequentially, the benefit to Offaly could be realised an awful lot sooner. The cost of doing this work would be cheaper now than it would be if it is done in the future. We have seen from other projects previously, second phases sometimes do not proceed for many years. If we want balanced growth in the region, we need to do this now, rather than in a second phase. The key point is that Offaly needs that spur, those integration works and the wastewater upgrades delivered together as one co-ordinated package, not in separate phases.

Sentiment score: 0.25

A core feature of the new infrastructure plan is to improve transparency and accountability. For Offaly, we need clear visibility that the Shannon pipeline spur and the wastewater upgrades are progressing together and not in staggered phases. Will the Minister commit to a county-level delivery reporting, so communities in Tullamore, Edenderry, Birr, Clara and Banagher can track progress and gain confidence that these projects will be delivered in one integrated programme, unlocking real regional development for Offaly?

Sentiment score: 0.57