Ireland

This chapter outlines the evolution, structure, and operational mechanisms of Ireland's project governance model, exploring how it seeks to enhance accountability, efficiency, and value for money in public investment. The project governance system evolved over the 2000s. Within the overall framework provided by the capital appraisal guidelines, line ministries established sector-specific frameworks. Finally, 2023 saw the publication of the Infrastructure Guidelines, which maintain the thrust of the public spending code and associated assurance processes while seeking to streamline the approval arrangements for major projects. The model consists of a five-stage project life cycle model: strategic assessment and preliminary business case, project design, planning and procurement strategy, post-tender – final business case, implementation, and post completion review and benefits realization. Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, DPER, retains a number of important responsibilities regarding capital expenditure generally and major projects specifically.