Engineers Ireland has welcomed Budget 2023 and the €12bn investment, in overall terms, for vital infrastructure as announced by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD.

Damien Owens, registrar and interim director general, Engineers Ireland, said: “Correctly targeted investment underpins social cohesion by providing vital infrastructure and services for citizens. Budget 2023 is perhaps one of the most important in recent times; the conflict in Ukraine, apart from its human cost, has highlighted and exacerbated the constraints in our infrastructure and resources, most notably in energy supply and housing.

'Long-term sustainable economic and societal benefits'

“The €12bn investment in infrastructure shows government’s continued commitment to deliver the National Development Plan, which will bring long-term sustainable economic and societal benefits to Ireland. The continued engagement by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with the construction sector to increase digital adoption and establish cleaner, greener and more modern methods of construction is also most welcome.” 

The announcement of capital investment of more than €930m in water services in 2023 was also met with a positive response from the engineering body, in addition to the €6.2bn in exchequer funding to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of which the majority, €3.5bn, will be capital investment. 

Commenting on the €850m in capital investment specifically to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in 2023, which includes €337m for energy efficiency, Owens added: “Energy underpins infrastructure and services of a modern developed society. By providing funding and becoming more efficient in how we use and invest in energy, especially by accelerating the shift to renewable energy, will assist in creating a high-quality, resilient society and economy.”