The National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013, launched in Dublin Castle on 23rd January , 2007 is a high level strategic document which sets out within a sustainable economic and budgetary framework indicative seven year investment allocations for the various sectoral areas, totalling almost €184bn.
The NDP 2007-2013 sets out the key high level objectives of investment for Ireland in the period 2007-2013 as follows:
promotion of sustainable economic and budgetary stability;
promotion of national competitiveness;
fostering better balance in regional development with a particular focus on assisting all regions to deliver to their maximum potential;
delivery of economic and social infrastructure in an efficient Value for Money way which improves the quality of life of our citizens;
environmental sustainability;
promotion of social inclusion; and
development of strong cross-border and all island economic and sectoral co-operation.
The 2007-2013 NDP will focus on five investment priorities as follows:
| €billion Investment (Current Prices) | |
| Economic Infrastructure | 54.7 |
| Enterprise, Science and Innovation | 20.0 |
| Human Capital | 25.8 |
| Social Infrastructure | 33.6 |
| Social Inclusion | 49.6 |
| Total | 183.7 |
The NDP with an emphasis on improving quality of life in a sustainable manner will take account of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) 2002-2020, environmental sustainability, impact on social inclusion, the all-island dimension, value for money considerations and the requirements of the EU Lisbon process. The new NDP in particular seeks to consolidate progress made under previous programmes and address the investment now necessary to maintain national competitiveness within a sustainable economic and budgetary framework. It also sets out the resourcing commitments necessary to achieve policy developments agreed under the Towards 2016 agreement.
The NDP sets out a framework for the promotion of regional development with a particular focus on investment in the NSS-designated gateways. In developing this Programme the Managing Authority has been cognisant of the fact that significant investment in the BMW Region will be included in the new NDP and that most publicly-funded developmental objectives will be supported through this mainstream framework.
The Irish Government has decided that the programming for the 2007-13 round of structural funds would be separate from the NDP Programming process. The priorities and strategic framework for co-funded programmes are set out in the NSRF, which is separate from the NDP.
