Project Ireland 2040 : The First Year : Annual Report 2018

Abstract

Project Ireland 2040 is the long-term overarching strategy to make Ireland a better country for all of its people. Project Ireland 2040 represents a new approach to social and economic development. Previous approaches saw public investment spread too thinly and investment decisions which were not aligned with a wider spatial strategy. By 2040, there will be an extra one million people living in our country. Project Ireland 2040 aims to accommodate this growth in a balanced and sustainable way and put in the place the investment required to enable prosperity. In the first year since its launch, Project Ireland 2040 has been enhancing regional connectivity, supporting national competitiveness and improving environmental sustainability. The economic backdrop to Project Ireland 2040 has remained largely positive in 2018 and into 2019. The economy grew by 4.5% and at year end, employment levels stood at 2.281 million. Nonetheless there are clear and present risks - the most immediate being the threat posed by Brexit. In response to this and wider challenges, a core tenet of the Government's strategy to bring greater economic resilience is to address infrastructure deficits and embed the capacity for the future growth of the Irish economy.