The Greater Dublin Drainage Scheme will be completed a year earlier than planned due to a new acceleration plan, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers will tell Cabinet today.
Construction on the Uisce Éireann scheme, which has been the subject of long planning delays, was due to start in 2028 and be completed in 2032.
The €1.3 billion project is seen as crucial in ensuring adequate services infrastructure to allow the construction of thousands of homes in north Dublin, Meath and Kildare.
Chambers will say the implementation of the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan will mean a completion date a year earlier than planned.
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As part of an update on infrastructure projects, Chambers is expected to tell Ministers that the Waterford wastewater treatment plant will also be delivered six months earlier than scheduled.
He is also expected to outline changes he is making to resolve disputes that arise in public works contracts. They include strengthening dispute avoidance with earlier engagement where issues arise, as well as stronger conciliation and arbitration processes.
Such disputes have arisen frequently during the construction of the National Children’s Hospital.
Chambers will argue that disputes can cause significant delays and add costs, but a robust and efficient structure can allow for quicker resolution, saving money and getting important capital projects completed on time.
His colleague, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless, will bring a memorandum proposing the appointment of five new “talent and innovation attachés”, bringing the total global network to seven.
[ Public service must embrace risk to deliver big projects, Jack Chambers saysOpens in new window ]
The new roles are planned for key strategic locations – the UK, France, Germany, Singapore and South Africa – to strengthen Ireland’s international links in research, talent and higher education. The two other roles, already established, are in the United States.
Minister for Children Norma Foley is expected to bring a memo to Cabinet for the appointment of the new Special Rapporteur on Child Protection to succeed human rights lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher, whose term came to an end at the end of January.
The special rapporteur plays an important role in examining and reporting to the Government on legal, legislative and litigation-related matters in respect of child protection.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon will bring a Bill to extend regulation for dog-breeding establishments (puppy farms) in Ireland across three key areas: welfare and breeding; sales and record keeping; and administration and enforcement.
The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2026 will provide legislation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of dogs and puppies in breeding environments.
The Taoiseach will also update Cabinet on a range of actions being carried out across Government to reduce the regulatory burden on business.
Under the Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity, the Department of the Taoiseach committed to co-ordinate a range of actions aimed at regulatory reform across government departments, including the establishment of a central Economic Regulators Forum.
