The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform said the Government - for the first time in the state's history - will spend over €10 billion in Exchequer resources for critical projects across the country.
Michael McGrath said that in direct response to Covid-19, €500m was provided as part of the July Stimulus to accelerate capital works and to generate jobs and economic activity across all regions of the country.
The Minister said today he is providing an additional €600m for core capital investment in 2021 including construction on a range of major road projects such as the N56 in Donegal, the N4 in Sligo, the N5 in Mayo, and the N22 and Dunkettle Interchange in Cork.
The funds will also be used to buy 41 additional InterCity Railcar carriages and will see the signing of contracts for the largest ever fleet expansion with potential for up to 600 electric carriages as part of DART+.
In the Higher Education sector, over €270m will support up to 20 higher education building projects while 145 school building projects will be delivered.
The Minister also announced €132m in funding for the National Broadband Plan to help to connect more homes and businesses to high-speed fibre next year.
Meanwhile, capital expenditure in the Defence forces will increase to €131m which will allow a programme of sustained equipment replacement and renewal and infrastructure development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.
Mr McGrath also said the Government is committed to supporting investment in the country's ports and airports, including at Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort.
A €10m provision is also being made to address the current Covid-19 challenges facing Cork and Shannon airports, he added.
