National Development Plan investment in Dublin outstripping Cork by €30 billion

National Development Plan investment in Dublin has outstripped spending on Cork projects by almost €30bn so far in the period 2021-2030, according to a report submitted by representatives of local authorities across the southern region.

According to the submission from the Southern Regional Assembly, a total of €34.5bn or 79% of the total invested or committed, has been allocated to Dublin while Cork is in line for a total investment of €5.05bn - or 11.6% - in the same period.

The Southern Regional Assembly, which comprises councillors from Cork City Council and Cork County Council, and representatives from other local authorities, was critical of what it described as an imbalance in investment.

It said this was particularly in light of the projection that Cork, along with Waterford, Limerick and Galway would grow at twice the rate of Dublin in the period of the plan up to 2040.

David Kelly, Director of the Southern Regional Assembly, said that the EU Commission’s Regional Competitive Index had placed the southern region in the bottom 15% of all 234 countries across the 27 EU participating countries regarding infrastructure provision.

He said this analysis demonstrates that investment under the NDP has not aligned with or supported National Planning Framework (NPF) objectives for regional parity to date, nor has it sought to address the more pronounced infrastructure deficits evident in the southern region. 

"The Project Ireland 2040 process, including national targets related to climate change, sustainable growth and regional development, will not succeed unless these imbalances are addressed."

The Southern Regional Assembly has called for the Revised National Development Plan to be strengthened significantly to address the current lack of alignment between the objective for Regional Parity and the structural and funding model required to achieve it.

The submission to the Government from the Southern Regional Assembly lists a number of Cork projects which have yet a “clear commitment to capital funding under the current NDP capital investment tracker”.

These include the regional and inter-city rail network, Cork Luas, the Cork city northern transport project, the N25 upgrade (Cork to Waterford) and orbital/relief roads for towns across the region including accident blackspot Charleville.

Cork Lord Mayor, Fergal Dennehy, who is a member of the Southern Regional Assembly, described as a “stark disparity” the difference in proposed expenditure between Dublin and Cork and said it was “concerning”.

“It would always be expected that there would be a difference in allocation between the regions given the higher cost of construction in particular geographical areas, but the figures highlighted are far more than what one would naturally assume,” said the Fianna Fáil councillor.

“It is crucial that Cork, as a city projected to grow at twice the rate of Dublin between now and 2040, receives the investment necessary to support this growth sustainably and equitably.

“At present we are in the process of advancing some of our key infrastructure projects, the docklands, light rail, bus connects, event centre etc. I am sure that as these projects come through the public consultation and other statutory processes, the current projected figure €5.05bn will change.” 

In a response from the Cork Business Association, Clara O’Neill of the body’s Cork City 2030 committee and director of Total Planning Solutions expressed concern about the “inbalance in the proposed National Development Plan allocation for Cork”.

“It is counterproductive to the Government’s stated aim of balanced regional development under Project Ireland 2040.

“Cork has a pivotal role to play in Ireland’s future – both economically and demographically – and strategic investment in infrastructure, transport, housing, and urban regeneration is critical if the region is to reach its full potential and relieve pressure on the capital.

“Furthermore, we are disappointed to see that several key Cork projects including Cork Bus Connects, Cork Luas, N25 Upgrades, Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Road (CNDMR) and essential upgrades to water infrastructure, all of which are essential to unlocking growth and improving quality of life in the region, have not yet been allocated specific funding envelopes. 

"This lack of certainty undermines confidence in the delivery of vital infrastructure and risks stalling progress at a time when decisive action is required.” 

The report has come to light as Tánaiste Simon Harris told The Echo last week that the Government needed to act urgently on the commitment to initiate a taskforce dedicated to the revival of Cork city centre, along the lines of a similar body already in place in Dublin.

Cork North Central Fine Gael TD and newly-appointed spokesperson for Cork, Colm Burke acknowledged that ‘a fire needed to be lit under’ investment for Cork and said that the over concentration in Dublin had caused chaos in the capital city.