Investment of €9.3 billion is needed to deliver 33 key infrastructure projects in the Northern and Western Region to bring it in line with other regions in the country, a new report has found.
The Donegal TEN-T Projects, estimated to cost €790m-€915m, are among the projects proposed to support regional growth across Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.
The €291m railway extension linking to Letterkenny and Derry and a €65m Letterkenny Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) Project are also among the 33 key projects designed to address significant infrastructure deficits, unlock economic potential, and advance climate resilience in Ireland’s most underfunded region.
The Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) report was presented earlier this week at a breakfast briefing held in Dublin.
NWRA Economist, John Daly, said “that despite Ireland being regarded as one of the wealthiest economies in the EU, the Northern and Western Region of Ireland’s transport infrastructure ranked in the bottom 20 at 218th out of 234 regions according to the European Commission’s Regional Competitiveness Index”.
The publication of the report coincides with the public consultation on the revised National Development Plan (NDP), which remains open until 26th June 2025. The NDP is the Government’s long-term vision and investment strategy for national infrastructure and public services, a crucial component of Project Ireland 2040.
Speaking at the event, NWRA Director Conall McGettigan stated, “the Northern and Western Region has consistently received below-average investment in national infrastructure. This report aligns with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032 and presents a clear roadmap — with several projects already costed —to bring the region in line with national policy goals. It supports compact growth, regional accessibility, and sustainable development”.
NWRA Cathaoirleach Cllr Jarlath Munnelly added “The report highlights the severe regional imbalance in public capital investment. Between 2016 and 2024, the Northern and Western Region received just 5.7% of public tenders worth over €20 million, despite accounting for over 17% of Ireland’s population”.
The NWRA developed the report following extensive consultation with all nine local authorities in the region, along with key infrastructure agencies including Transport Infrastructure Ireland, EirGrid, Uisce Éireann, and Atlantic Technological University. The report will be transposed into a submission from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly on the review of the National Development Plan (NDP). The submission to the NDP will aim to ensure the Northern and Western Region, through the provision of critical infrastructure, is fully empowered to meet Ireland’s targets on housing, climate action, connectivity, and economic development.
The report on the Regional Infrastructure Priorities for the Northern and Western Region will be submitted as part of the NWRA’s submission to the NDP consultation, which is available here: https://www.nwra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NWRA-Briefing-Report-on-projects-for-NDP-review.pdf
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