The Irish government is preparing a major shift in how public infrastructure projects are managed, with ministers set to consider reforms that encourage civil servants and public agencies to take calculated risks to accelerate the delivery of housing, transport, energy and water projects.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure Jack Chambers is expected to present a new risk appetite statement to Cabinet, arguing that excessive caution within the public sector has become a significant obstacle to delivering essential infrastructure on time.
Under the proposed framework, public bodies would be encouraged to make decisions that carry a higher level of acceptable risk if they help reduce delays and improve overall project delivery. Examples include purchasing land before a project receives final approval or proceeding with initiatives despite the possibility of legal challenges, provided appropriate governance and oversight are in place.
Government officials believe a growing culture of risk aversion has emerged in recent years, driven by concerns over litigation, planning and consent procedures, reputational damage and rising project costs. According to the government, this cautious approach has contributed to longer delivery timelines and higher expenses across major public works.
A report by the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, chaired by Chambers, found that delivery times for transport and energy projects have doubled over the past two decades. The findings have prompted calls for reforms aimed at reducing delays while maintaining accountability.
Chambers is expected to tell Cabinet colleagues that the new policy recognizes some investments may not ultimately proceed or achieve every intended objective. However, the government believes accepting such outcomes in selected cases could help speed up the wider infrastructure pipeline and produce greater long-term benefits.
As part of the reforms, government departments, regulators and agencies responsible for sectors including transport, energy and water will be encouraged to develop their own sector-specific risk appetite statements tailored to their operational responsibilities.
Separately, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless is expected to seek renewed efforts across government to increase apprenticeship recruitment throughout the public service.
Lawless will update ministers on the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan covering 2023 to 2025. Although the initiative fell short of its target of 750 annual apprentice registrations by 2025, officials say it expanded opportunities beyond traditional construction trades.
Three new apprenticeship programs in Business and Operations, Social Care and Paramedicine were introduced this year, creating additional career pathways in the civil service, healthcare and social care sectors. The national apprenticeship system now offers 87 different programs, with a new action plan expected to be launched shortly.
Cabinet will also review the 2025 annual report of the Office of Public Works, presented by Chambers on behalf of Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran. The report highlights 11 flood relief schemes currently under construction that are expected to protect approximately 2,900 properties once completed. The OPW has invested more than €588 million in flood protection and completed 56 schemes to date.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke is also scheduled to present Enterprise Ireland’s annual report, showing the agency invested €49 million in Irish businesses last year. The report says client company exports reached a record €39 billion in 2025 despite continued challenges from international tariffs.
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