Minister Lawless secures €4.55 billion under National Development Plan to drive research, education and innovation
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 22 July 2025
- Last updated on: 22 July 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless has welcomed a major new investment commitment under the revised National Development Plan (NDP), with Cabinet agreeing a €4.55 billion capital allocation for his department for the period 2026–2030.
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Minister Lawless said:
“Today is a major step forward for Ireland’s knowledge economy. The National Development Plan agreed at Cabinet gives us the capability to deliver transformative investment in research, education and innovation, securing long-term returns for the Irish economy and society.”
The €4.55 billion investment package will support a new national research programme, a successor to the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI), as well as vital upgrades to further and higher education infrastructure and an expanded student accommodation programme.
“This agreement allows us to move ahead with a new national research programme and to invest in the infrastructure that supports talent, science and discovery. It also provides critical capital for student accommodation and for upgrading further and higher education infrastructure right across the country.”
Minister Lawless underlined that Ireland’s economic strength and the resources now available to invest in areas like water, housing and transport have been built on education, skills and research:
“The reality is, our ability to invest in water, energy, transport and housing comes from the strength of Ireland’s knowledge economy. That continues to be our natural resource. The prosperity that is now enabling the government to upgrade our grid, modernise public transport and deliver 300,000 new homes has been built on the sectors my department supports every day.”
The Minister also linked today’s announcement to global developments in research and innovation policy. Last week, he attended the EU R&I Ministerial in Copenhagen where the European Commission proposed a €175 billion budget for the next Horizon Europe Framework Programme.
“This investment is not happening in isolation, it positions Ireland globally. Europe is putting research and innovation at the heart of its strategy. Ireland must do the same and, today, we are.
“And as I travel to Japan and Singapore today to deepen international science and skills partnerships, this agreement strengthens our hand. It shows that Ireland is serious about being a world-class destination for research collaboration and talent development.”
Minister Lawless reiterated the Taoiseach’s message that research is not a luxury but a national asset:
“Whether it’s semiconductors, cybersecurity, climate resilience or AI, we need to be in the global race. This NDP agreement means we won’t fall behind.”
He also emphasised that research investment delivers long-term economic value, without putting additional strain on the construction sector:
“Research is people- and knowledge-intensive, not construction-heavy. It can be rapidly deployed and it generates returns many times over.”
While acknowledging the difficult negotiations required to secure the funding, Minister Lawless said the final outcome reflected a balanced and strategic agreement:
“Of course, this was a negotiation and we had to make tough choices. But I believe we’ve struck a balanced deal that enables delivery, protects priorities, and maintains momentum across higher education, apprenticeships, climate action and digital transformation.”