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Resetting the road ahead: major review of the National Development Plan announced

The announcement by Minister Jack Chambers on 8 April to initiate a review of the National Development Plan represents a timely and strategic intervention by the Government in response to infrastructure demands and a shifting economic landscape. The Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform will assess all public capital investment up to 2035. The review will be completed in July 2025 and will prioritise infrastructure improvements in:

  • Energy grid capacity
  • Water supply
  • Transport connectivity
  • Health digitalisation

These areas are critical enablers of economic competitiveness and sustainability, which align with Ireland’s immediate infrastructure needs and long-term national investment.

Individual departments will be required to identify priority projects for 2026 – 2030. A public consultation will be launched for input from interested stakeholders in the coming months, and a climate assessment will be included for all government-funded projects. 

Minister Chambers highlighted the record €15 billion capital investment for 2025 – four times the amount invested a decade ago. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to infrastructure reform. The review aligns with commitments included in the Programme for Government. 

The review comes at a pivotal moment, as competitiveness has never been more critical. Ireland needs to have the proper infrastructure in place to attract and retain foreign direct investment. In the current climate, Ireland’s infrastructure deficit poses a significant risk to competitiveness. It is paramount for this review to deliver revised plans as well as improved delivery mechanisms to address persistent bottlenecks in infrastructure rollout. Overall, the review aims to ensure sustainable long-term investment in essential infrastructure supporting economic growth, regional development, and the green transition.

Project Ireland 2040

Project Ireland 2040 is Ireland’s forward-looking strategy, which involves investment in critical infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and education. The strategy is centred around sustainable development and economic prosperity and has two main pillars: 

  1. The National Planning Framework
  2. The National Development Plan

The National Development Plan supports the implementation of the National Planning Framework and broader Government initiatives through targeted infrastructure investment. A total of €165 billion has been allocated for the lifetime of the National Development Plan up to 2030, aligned with the ten National Strategic Outcomes outlined in the National Planning Framework. 

  • Compact growth
  • Enhanced regional accessibility 
  • Strengthened rural economies and communities
  • Sustainable mobility
  • A strong economy supported by enterprise, innovation, and skills
  • High-quality international connectivity
  • Enhanced amenity and heritage
  • Transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient society
  • Sustainable management of water and other environmental resources
  • Access to quality childcare, education, and health services

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Graduate Trainee (Ireland)
Preferred Start Date: January/February 2026
Dublin

Vulcan Consulting is looking to hire an upcoming or recent graduate with a passion for public affairs, policy and politics as part of our Graduate Trainee Programme. The ambitious trainee will participate in a 6–month full time programme – and will be based in our Dublin office for at least 3 days each week. 

Vulcan’s 6–month structured programme will provide the successful candidate with a hands-on experience in government relations, stakeholder engagement and policy analysis. They will become a key member of our client servicing team in Dublin and will primarily assist in supporting our wide range of multinational and domestic clients in the life sciences, technology and retail sectors. 

Vulcan hopes to instill insider knowledge of Ireland’s political landscape – as well as skills to collaborate with key decision makers in both the public and private sectors.

This position is remunerated – and there is potential, upon exemplary performance, for further progression. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who are strongly interested in developing a career in public affairs.
 
Skills & Experience:
  • A University degree (Master’s level ideally but not essential) in relevant subjects (e.g. EU Affairs, International Relations, Communications, Public Affairs etc.);
  • A demonstrable understanding of public policy in Ireland and the legislative process;
  • A strong interest in Irish public affairs; and
  • Excellent writing and research skills.

Personal qualities:

  • Be an enthusiastic team player and a quick learner;
  • Be able to take initiative and demonstrate proactiveness;
  • Demonstrate an attention to detail;
  • Have native-level English; and
  • Have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.

Please send your CV along with a researched written exercise on a campaign of your choosing (no more than 1000 words) to ianfahey@vulcanconsulting.eu  

Please outline why you chose this campaign; why the campaign worked well; what stakeholder were involved in the campaign; what you would have done differently; and what was the result of the campaign in question.

The deadline for applications is 17:00 (Irish time) on Friday, 28 November 2025.

Interviews of short-listed candidates will take place on the week commencing 1 December 2025.