Project Ireland 2040 is delivering for people in Clare, according to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey who said that it was the first time ever that a government has linked planning with investment.

“It is a 20 year €116 billion plan to ensure sustainable regional balance, less commuting, and greater vibrancy in our villages, towns, cities and rural areas,” Deputy Carey explained.

“Despite threats from our political opponents, the Government is committed to the delivery of the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040. This commitment is crucial for Clare where we can see some projects are already having an impact.

“Among the projects scheduled for completion this year include the first phase of the Limerick Institute of Technology’s new campus at Coonagh which will involve significant collaboration with industry on the Shannon Free Zone,” he explained.

“Community led health care is also a really important part of the plan and this includes the development of six primary care centres in Clare.

“The floor plan for the Tulla Road Centre in Ennis has been agreed with the developer who is completing preparatory work on site prior to submitting the final planning application at the end of July.

“Planning application for the Station Road Centre in Ennis was lodged in mid March. Further information was requested and this response is being prepared.

“After a planning application was lodged for the Sixmilebridge Centre in mid-February, additional information was requested and this response is also being prepared.

“Both the Ennistymon and Killaloe/Ballina Primary Care Centres were re-advertised in May when an initial advertisement was also published for the Kilrush Centre,” Deputy Carey said.

“However I am concerned that Project Ireland 2040 has come under threat from certain corners. Recently in the Dáil, Fianna Fáil agreed to support a Social Democrats/Green Party motion to identify which regional development projects for Clare will be delayed or cancelled.

“Fianna Fáil are just trying to claim a political win with what is a regressive approach they are dressing up in the name of climate action.

“Public transport is a key component of Fine Gael’s plans and Project Ireland 2040 will see us invest twice as much in public transport as compared to new roads. New public transport and routes along with cycleways and greenways all feature heavily in the NDP and the Climate Action Plan and these projects will proceed under the current Government.

“We are already seeing the benefits of Project Ireland 2040 and the kinds of projects it can deliver.

“The people of Clare have been waiting long enough for this progress. We are not going to let Fianna Fáil scrap Fine Gael’s Project Ireland 2040 for political reasons,” Deputy Carey concluded.