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National Development Plan
The National Development Plan
(2007-2013) Transforming Ireland –
A Better Quality of Life for All sets out the
roadmap to Ireland’s future. Within
the next seven years, it states that our
economy and our society will undergo
a transformation almost as radical as the
changes we have experienced in the past
decade of growth and development.
That transformation will be driven
largely by the continuing increase in our
population, projected to reach over five
million people by 2021.
Changes are predicted in our economic
base, as we move towards more high value
added economic activities and industries,
both foreign-owned and indigenous.
To optimise choices for a better long-term
future the plan sets out a roadmap, clearly
marking out the landmark challenges we
face such as:
– removing the remaining infrastructure
bottlenecks that constrain our economic
development and inhibit balanced
regional development and environmental
sustainability;
– further equipping our children and youth
with the skills and education to grasp the
opportunities presented to us;
– creating and sustaining high value
employment opportunities; and
– redistributing the product of wealth
to foster an inclusive society, including
adequately catering for those who have
already contributed to Ireland’s success
over previous decades.
This National Development Plan integrates
strategic development frameworks
for regional development, for rural
communities, for all-island co-operation,
and for protection of the environment with
common economic and social goals.
Funding of its investment relies almost
completely on our own domestic
resources, produced by the taxpayer and
invested in priorities that will generate
a real economic return, increasing
overall wealth in our society and raising
standards of living beyond what they
might otherwise be.
The priorities and approach set out
in the Plan are consistent with the
ten year social partnership framework
agreement – Towards 2016 – concluded
in 2006.
Over the next seven years, the National
Development Plan 2007–2013 proposes
investment of some €184 billion in our
economic and social infrastructure, the
enterprise, science and agriculture sectors,
the education, training and skills base of
our people, environmental services and in
the social fabric of our society that, within
a strong and vibrant economy geared to
meet the challenges of the future, will
deliver a better quality of life for all.
The five Investment Priorities
of the Plan are:
| |
€ Billion
Investment
(Current Prices) |
| Economic Infrastructure |
54.7 |
| Enterprise, Science
& Innovation |
20.0 |
| Human Capital
(incl. Education) |
25.8 |
| Social Infrastructure |
33.6 |
| Social Inclusion |
49.6 |
| Total |
183.7 |
– Over €2.8 billion will be invested in training
and skills development programmes,
including employment training,
apprenticeships, new skills training for adult
workers and programmes for school leavers;
– Nearly €4.9 billion in training and
development programmes for a wide
range of groups;
– €13 billion for Third-Level Infrastructure
and for ongoing costs of the sector in the
context of the promotion of strategic and
structural development; and
– €5 billion in First and Second Level schools
modernisation and development.
For further information on the NDP
(2007-2013) visit www.ndp.ie
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