Published on 

Minister McGrath extends the deadline for the public consultation phase of the National Development Plan

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, TD. has today (Thursday) extended the deadline for submissions to the public consultation phase of the National Development Plan by a further three weeks to the 19th of February 2021.

The public consultation, #ReviewToRenew was launched on the 3rd of November 2020. The consultation offers everyone the opportunity to contribute their views to inform and influence this important policy review.

Speaking today, Minister McGrath said: “The impact of investment in our economy has to be maximised so that it benefits every region, town and city in our country. We must invest in a planned, targeted and well-managed way. That is why the government initiated a review of the current National Development Plan. The projects that are funded under the National Development Plan impact where we live, how we work, how we travel; our health and education systems; and social, cultural and sporting facilities. I believe it is essential that we hear from as many people as possible as we re-shape this important national strategy.”

The final review of the National Development Plan is expected to be completed in the summer of 2021. It will support economic, social, environmental and cultural development all across the country in parallel with the National Planning Framework which provides a high-level guide to planning and development over the next 20 years. Ensuring integration of climate change adaptation and mitigation imperatives will also be central to the development of the plan.

Minister McGrath invites all interested parties - individuals, community group and representative bodies - to have their say on the National Development Plan by submitting their views to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform by email before 5pm on 19 February 2021.

Commenting further, Minister McGrath said:- “Ireland cannot continue with ’development as usual’ without giving due consideration to climate-associated risks. We need to ensure that we have the capacity to adapt and we must take an integrated approach, including climate change adaption at every stage in our development plan. This will make development more resilient by reducing climate impacts and make for a better future for the people of Ireland and I am particularly anxious to hear the views of the public on this matter.”

Notes for Editors

How to respond

Stakeholders are asked to respond to a number of questions which can be found at www.gov.ie/2040
Respondents are requested to make their submissions to reviewtorenew@per.gov.ie.

Please clearly mark your submission in the subject line of your email as “Review to Renew Submission”.
Responses will be accepted until 5pm on 19 February 2020. Submissions received after this deadline may not be considered.
The Department regrets that on account of the measures it has had to put in place in respect of the Covid-19 pandemic, it cannot receive hardcopy submissions by post.

Supporting Documents

Click here to see Project Ireland 2040 Policy documents page.
Contact Claire Godkin, Press Officer, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: 085 806 3969