The National Development Plan (NDP) is part of Project Ireland 2040, the Government's blueprint to allocate land and resources as the population grows by 1m in the next two decades. Investment is underpinned by the National Planning Framework (NPF), which has a confirmed objective of directing half of these new Irish residents to Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

"In our plan we are targeting these five cities for 50% of overall national growth between them, with Ireland’s large and smaller towns, villages and rural areas accommodating the other 50% of growth," the framework reads.

While most investment is to be focused on cities and the connections between them, the NPF also recognises five towns as key to the development of the country:

Sligo as a regional centre for the northwest.

Athlone as a regional centre for the midlands.

Letterkenny in the northwest and Drogheda-Dundalk on the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor are described as "important cross-border networks for regional development", in a planning exercise that recognises the risk posed by Brexit.

The NDP provides for nearly €116bn in state investment by 2027. Of this, €8.8bn is earmarked specifically to strengthen rural economies and communities. Half of this will go to regional and local roads, while a €1bn fund is established to regenerate rural towns and villages.

Agriculture is set to receive €800m, though this is not detailed. Instead, the plan refers to the existing FoodWise 2025 strategy and the next CAP to be decided at EU level from 2020 for investments in agriculture.

State-owned agribusiness companies, such as Coillte and Bord na Móna, are expected to invest €800m under the plan.

One major missing piece of the jigsaw is the National Broadband Plan, which is listed under rural investments but has no funding publicly allocated.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the NDP was "about ensuring that all parts of Ireland fulfil their potential". Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe added that the plan aimed to avoid the approach of the past, which "saw public investment spread too thinly" and led to growth being concentrated in Dublin.

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IFA president Joe Healy welcomed Project Ireland 2040, especially the allocation of €1bn for a new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, provisions for rural housing and renewable energy development, and "the urgent need to deliver on the national broadband strategy".

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on public expenditure and reform, Dara Calleary said that the NDP includes 179 projects and €40bn-worth of investments that were already announced previously, including the flagship €3bn Dublin metro line.

“Like so many previous action plans, this one looks good on paper, but the real test is in the delivery," Deputy Calleary said.

Project Ireland 2040: 8% of funding dedicated to rural economy

The Government has announced a 10-year investment plan, including nearly €9bn for rural areas, but details on broadband roll-out are not included.