Proposals for the development of a number of new "gateway" cities to redress regional imbalance will be unveiled by the Government today as part of the €180 billion National Development Plan.
Improving quality of life and preparing Ireland for a massive increase in population will form a central part of the seven-year plan, for which the Government expects to get a massive boost in the run-up to the general election.
Investment in roads, sewerage facilities and housing infrastructure will be outlined to allow for the creation of eight new major centres in Cork, Waterford, Letterkenny, Sligo, Galway, Dundalk, Athlone/Tullamore/Mullingar, and Limerick/Shannon. This commitment follows recommendations in the National Spatial Strategy.
The plan will be launched in Dublin Castle by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Tánaiste Michael McDowell and Minister for Finance Brian Cowen. Over the following days other Ministers will detail aspects of the plan related to their departments.
Titled Transforming Ireland - A Better Quality of Life for All, the plan outlines investment in a number of key areas.
These commitments include:
A €50 billion investment to promote social inclusion, aimed primarily at children and older people living in poverty.
€13 billion on children's programmes including childcare.
€30 billion for social infrastructure, mainly social and affordable housing.
€25 billion for the education and training sector.
More than €1 billion for projects in Northern Ireland and in Border areas to promote closer ties between the two parts of the island.
Mr Cowen will also announce a €300 million "innovation fund" for so-called "gateway towns".
Opposition parties say the plan involves repackaging previously announced spending commitments in areas such as roads, health and housing.