Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien has secured Cabinet approval for a €24.3 billion transport plan covering 2026 to 2030, including major funding for the Irish road network and a national build-out of electric-vehicle charging.
The Sectoral Investment Plan allocates about €9.7 billion to roads. That money is earmarked to maintain and renew existing routes, deliver new national schemes and bypasses, and tackle climate-related damage such as flooding and freeze-thaw wear.
For drivers switching to electric cars, the roads envelope also funds new EV charging infrastructure so that motorway and regional hubs gain more dependable rapid and destination chargers over the next five years.
The Department says the plan sets out which large national road projects (those estimated above €200 million) are expected to start construction or main procurement by 2030, giving contractors and communities a clearer timetable.
Smaller but significant schemes under €200 million are also flagged to move forward within the same window. Examples cited include the N52 Ardee Bypass, the N72/73 Mallow Relief Road, the N3 Clonee to the M50 works and the Foxford Transport Project. Local and regional road funding remains focused on protection and renewal, with targeted upgrades where needed.
Public transport, active travel and other modes are in the package but take a smaller slice of the pie. Around €10.1 billion goes to rail and bus projects, including DART+ works, Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail and the starting of Phase 2, fleet replacement for the DART, Core Bus Corridors in Dublin, and construction starting in Cork and Galway under BusConnects.
A separate €2 billion from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund is reserved to push MetroLink into construction. Active travel spend totals €1.8 billion to deliver roughly 1,000km of new or upgraded walking and cycling routes by 2030. There is also €231 million for ICT and digital innovation, covering advanced traffic management and preparing roads for connected and autonomous vehicle technology. Civil aviation and maritime receive smaller allocations focused on safety and resilience.
Announcing the decision, O'Brien said the investment "marks a transformative moment for Ireland's transport system. It is not just about building infrastructure - it is about shaping the kind of transport system we want, delivering sustainable and accessible options to connect us all. By integrating innovation, climate action and regional development, we are creating a transport system that supports economic growth, protects our environment and improves quality of life for every citizen."
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, said the roads element will "maintain and upgrade our road network to the highest standards, while introducing measures that protect all road users. By prioritising safer infrastructure, supporting EV charging and addressing climate-related challenges, we are creating roads that are not only resilient but also safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. It will also enable further development of our rail network in line with the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, covering the DART+ programme, Cork Area Commuter Rail and the Western Rail Corridor."
The plan commits funding to road maintenance and renewals, new national schemes and bypasses, and an expanded EV-charging network between 2026 and 2030; delivery will hinge on planning approvals, procurement and annual budgets. Timelines will be confirmed as Transport Infrastructure Ireland moves schemes through design, consultation and tender.