80. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome (NSO) 5 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51379/26]

As Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.

In the 2021 NDP review, the Government originally committed €165 billion in capital investment for the period 2021-30, and subsequently agreed to additional funding of €2.25 billion in March 2024 for 2024-2026.

The revised National Development Plan, published in July, set out €275.4 billion in public capital investment to 2035 – the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. Government has prioritised investment towards the critical growth-enabling sectors of housing, energy and water and transport.

Following the agreement of the revised NDP in July 2025, gross capital expenditure ceilings for all sectors have now been set out to 2030. Departments have since published sectoral plans for the upcoming 5 years out to 2030. These plans detail priority projects to be progressed. Departments must ensure that the plans are affordable within the gross capital expenditure ceilings as agreed by Government.

NSO 5 refers to a strong economy, supported by enterprise, innovation and skills.

Under the 2025 NDP review, the Government allocated €4.55 billion to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and a total of €3.68 billion to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for the 2026-2030 period for them to continue their investments in necessary projects and programmes.

A range of projects have already been delivered under NSO 5 since the 2021 NDP review, including for example:

• A new teaching building in TU Dublin, Blanchardstown

• The Polaris building in DCU

• Phase 1 and 2 of the Maynooth University, Technology Society and Innovation Building

In addition, investment continues to be made in programmes such as:

• The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund

• Investment in Research and Development through Enterprise Ireland

• North-South Intertrade Ireland and Peaceplus programmes

• Higher Education Apprenticeship Expansion Programme