Infrastructure

What matters

The South West enters the next 14 years with a strong policy foundation in place. The National Planning Framework (NPF) and National Development Plan (NDP) provide long-term direction while local development plans, the Accelerating Infrastructure Delivery Taskforce, and the new Infrastructure Division within government all point to a more co-ordinated approach to how Ireland plans and delivers critical infrastructure.

The challenge as ever is turning plans into delivery. Over the past decade fragmentation in project sequencing, supply chain constraints, planning inefficiencies and inconsistent market engagement have all contributed to delays and cost escalation. A national investment commitment of €275 billion over the next decade means little if the conditions for delivery are not in place. That must change.

With population growth accelerating and demand intensifying across housing, utilities, transport and digital services, the region cannot afford incremental responses. Realising these opportunities requires coordinated action across government and industry.

Delivery

Infrastructure delivery depends on engineering talent, construction expertise, project management and the digital skills increasingly demanded by new sectors. Shortages in these areas are already a systemic constraint, as outlined in the National Development Plan which outlines a potential need for 69,000-79,000 additional construction works.

The region’s best lever is a visible project pipeline that gives industry the confidence to invest in workforce development and specialist capability over the long term.

Deeper engagement with third-level institutions is equally important to ensure the South West builds the skills base needed for growth in energy and advanced manufacturing.

Capacity

Grid capacity is under strain and the pressure will only grow as electrification accelerates. Port infrastructure, offshore renewable energy (ORE) potential and emerging energy hubs give the region real assets to draw on in support of national climate targets.

Getting this right matters beyond energy policy. A stronger regional role in renewables will attract investment and support industrial growth aligned with long-term sustainability commitments.

Transport

Congestion and car dependency remain significant barriers to growth, making investments such as BusConnects Cork, the N/M20 Cork-Limerick update, N22 Farranfore – Killarney, Cork Area Communter Rail, Tralee Northern Relief Road and Cork Docklands regeneration critical structural decisions that will determine whether the region grows sustainably or not.

All of these initiatives reduce emissions and enable transit-oriented development patterns that make sustainable growth possible. The Port of Cork’s role in ORE adds a further dimension, positioning the South West as the centre of the national energy transition.

Digital & energy

Despite progress under the National Broadband Plan, topography, dispersed settlement patterns and grid constraints continue to slow digital infrastructure deployment across the region.

Demand is growing, driven by AI, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and data-intensive industries. The South West needs to keep pace and the Cork Internet Exchange and the potential for data centre expansion are important assets.

This is a challenge the South West is uniquely positioned solve with significant renewable energy potential. The question is whether the region acts on them decisively enough ensuring that energy, grid and digital infrastructure are aligned to enable the South West to scale.

Paul O'Neill

Co-Head of Infrastructure

KPMG in Ireland

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Voices

"Continued momentum behind the reforms set out in the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Delivery Report and Action Plan is critical to addressing barriers to infrastructure delivery.

Streamlining the complex regulatory and approvals processes for water and wastewater infrastructure will be essential to fully leverage investment and ensure projects are delivered on time for the communities, businesses and environment that depend on them.

Uisce Éireann has long advocated for a more efficient planning and consenting regime, including prioritisation of strategic projects by An Coimisiún Pleanála, a clear and consistent approach to exempted development and land acquisition, and streamlined approvals. Collectively, these measures could reduce delivery timelines by up to four years and significantly accelerate infrastructure delivery."

Mairéad Conlon, Asset Strategy Senior Manager, Uisce Éireann

Making it happen

Infrastructure in the South West must be delivered through a coordinated, forward-looking and execution-focused approach that brings together planning, investment and delivery at both regional and national levels.

Addressing long-standing constraints will require stronger governance, faster decision-making and a clear focus on aligning infrastructure provision with economic and population growth.

Critically, infrastructure must be delivered at pace and in an integrated way—unlocking housing, supporting enterprise and enabling sustainable regional development.

We suggest the following:

Governance

Establish clearer governance structures to ensure joined-up decision-making across government departments, agencies and delivery bodies, reducing fragmentation in infrastructure planning and execution. Alongside this, define and embed a clear risk appetite across all levels of governance to support faster infrastructure delivery.
Speed of delivery

Prioritise speed and time-to-delivery as core project metrics, recognising the direct impact that delays have on overall project costs, economic outcomes and investor confidence.
Supply chain

Accelerate project timelines by leveraging existing supply chains. Major regional projects such as Luas Cork could be aligned with national in infrastructure pipelines (e.g. Metrolink), maximising the availability of skilled labour and supply chain capacity.
International links

Activate diaspora and international talent pipelines to address construction skills shortages, through targeted global recruitment, streamlined visa and permit processes, and coordinated industry–government campaigns to position the South West as a compelling destination for skilled workers.
Public transport

Prioritise the delivery of integrated public transport networks as a critical dependency for unlocking large-scale housing development and sustainable urban growth, particularly in key regional cities such as Cork.
Infrastructure & population

Align infrastructure delivery with population growth trends ensuring that transport, housing, and utilities are delivered ahead of, rather than in response to, demand pressures.
Docklands roadmap

Develop a coordinated Docklands transition roadmap, including a clear workplan for the phased relocation of heavy industry, alongside accelerating the delivery of the enabling infrastructure (strategic road network, bridge crossings and servicing capacity) required to unlock Cork Docklands at scale.
Infrastructure gaps

Address critical enabling infrastructure gaps across the region with urgency, particularly in electricity grid capacity and water/wastewater provision, to ensure they do not become binding constraints on housing delivery, industrial growth and inward investment
Aviation reform

Advance reform of regional aviation policy, including a refresh of the National Aviation Plan, to provide a sustainable long-term funding model that safeguards and strengthens connectivity through regional airports such as Kerry
National ports policy

Accelerate the publication and implementation of a national ports policy, clearly signaling the role of regional ports in supporting offshore renewable energy (ORE) and aligning this with an appropriate framework for State investment in port infrastructure
Digital connectivity

Close rural digital connectivity gaps, with targeted intervention to address persistent 4G/5G coverage deficits across rural and coastal communities, ensuring equitable access to digital infrastructure and supporting regional economic participation

Let's talk

At KPMG we’re all about helping make cities and regions better places. Our experience and expertise in Irish cities and regions as well as in urban areas worldwide, makes us uniquely placed to help decision - makers, policy stakeholders, infrastructure leaders and private companies who want to move quickly to make our cities and regions better places.

If you would like to find out more about how we can help you achieve your ambitions for the South West or further afield - please contact our team below. We'd be delighted to hear from you.