The State of Ireland report

Engineers Ireland publishes The State of Ireland report, an annual assessment of Ireland’s infrastructure. Each year, panels of expert engineers grade each sector of infrastructure and recommend two-year and five-year actions.

Engineers Ireland
2021 report
In this report, part of our State of Ireland series on the country’s infrastructure, we assess where Ireland currently stands in digitalisation and how we can better prepare for the digital world of tomorrow.

The State of Ireland 2021 recommendations

Expedite the National Broadband Plan

  • Prioritise more populated areas for the rollout of the plan

  • Investigate the viability of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband as an interim broadband solution for rural communities

  • If viable, offer subsidies (through for example, a tax credit) for satellite broadband while the network is being built

National Digital Strategy

  • Publish and implement the forthcoming National Digital Strategy, (building on its first phase). It is needed to provide a whole-of-Government approach to supporting the digital sector and encouraging digitalisation across all areas of business and society

Secure Ireland’s energy grid and supply to ensure energy security

  • Expedite construction of green energy networks
  • Expand the capacity of interconnectors to other countries

Invest more in research and development

  • Offer more support for entrepreneurs and early-stage investors
  • Encourage spin-out companies from third level education through more investment in technology transfer
  • Implement in full the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2019-2024
  • Educate businesses and the general public about the need for cybersecurity professionals
  • Expand tax credits for companies to undergo R&D in Ireland

Previous editions of the report are available here:

National Development Plan 2018-2027

In the National Development Plan 2018-2027, the Irish Government committed to €116 billion investment in infrastructure. The table below sets out 20 major capital projects to be completed by 2027. Engineers Ireland calls for the timely and efficient delivery of these important projects.

Public transport

PROJECTS COST 
(€ BILLION)
EXPECTED
COMPLETION
Metro Link 3.0 2027
BusConnects for Dublin, Cork & Galway 2.4 2027
DART expansion 2.0 2027

Road transport

PROJECTS COST 
(€ BILLION)
EXPECTED
COMPLETION
M20 Cork to Limerick 0.9 2027
N6 Galway Ring Road 0.6 2025
N21/N69 Limerick to Adare to Foynes 0.3 2025
M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy 0.2 2024
N5 Westport to Turlough 0.2 2023
N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom 0.2 2022
N8/N25/N40 Dunkettle Interchange 0.1 2021
N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin 0.1 2021

Airports and ports

PROJECTS COST 
(€ BILLION)
EXPECTED
COMPLETION
Second Parallel Runway at Dublin Airport 0.3 2021
Alexander Basin Redevelopment at Dublin Port 0.2 2022
Ringaskiddy Redevelopment at Port of Cork 0.1 2020

Energy

PROJECTS COST 
(€ BILLION)
EXPECTED
COMPLETION
Celtic Interconnector  1.0 2025

Communications

PROJECTS COST 
(€ BILLION)
EXPECTED
COMPLETION
National Broadband Plan 1.0 TBA

Water

PROJECTS COST 
(€ BILLION)
EXPECTED
COMPLETION
Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project 1.3 TBA
Greater Dublin Drainage Project 0.5 2025
Vartry Water Supply Scheme 0.2 2020
Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant  0.2 2020

Broader areas

PROJECTS COST 
(€ BILLION)
EXPECTED
COMPLETION
Social housing provision as part of Rebuilding Ireland 11.6 n/a
Retrofitting for energy efficiency 4.5 n/a
Regional and Local Roads 4.5 n/a
National Roads (other than projects above) 3.0 n/a
Urban regeneration and development 2.0 n/a
Energy (other than project above) 12.7 n/a
Health  10.9 n/a
Education 8.8 n/a
Flood defences 1.0 n/a
Have your say

To have your say on Engineers Ireland policy, contact Keelan Keogh, Policy Officer.