The Irish Government has just unveiled its revised National Development Plan (NDP), a €100 billion investment programme running to 2030. The plan outlines ambitious targets in housing, transport, energy, water infrastructure and digital transformation. While the scale and scope of the NDP are to be welcomed, its successful delivery is entirely dependent on one factor: people.

Without Skilled Workers, Delivery Will Fail

No matter how much capital is committed, major infrastructure projects cannot proceed without a sufficient supply of skilled professionals. The NDP proposes the delivery of new homes at an unprecedented rate, the construction of MetroLink, the expansion of ports and airports, and the transition to low-carbon energy systems. These projects require engineers, project managers, healthcare professionals, ICT experts and construction specialists—all of whom are already in short supply.

Ireland is currently facing severe labour shortages in these critical sectors. The occupations needed to deliver the NDP are already included on the Government’s own Critical Skills Occupations List. Without a significant increase in the supply of talent, the NDP targets are simply undeliverable.

Back 4 Good: The Missing Link

To succeed, the Government must go beyond apprenticeships and domestic training. What is required is an international campaign to attract skilled talent home and bring new professionals to Ireland. That campaign already exists—Back 4 Good.

Back 4 Good is a proven international initiative that engages with Irish expatriates and global professionals, connecting them with job opportunities in Ireland. It provides relocation support, employer matching, and targeted outreach to skilled workers in construction, tech, engineering, and healthcare.

A national rollout of Back 4 Good, supported and endorsed by the Government, could rapidly address the labour shortages undermining the NDP.

A Call for Immediate Action

To ensure the NDP is achievable, the Government should:

• Officially adopt Back 4 Good as a cornerstone of the NDP’s delivery strategy
• Launch an international campaign in key markets—UK, US, Australia, Canada, and the EU
• Fast-track visas and permits for skilled returnees and professionals
• Provide funding for resettlement, family support, and training top-ups
• Set clear targets and publish regular progress reports on skills gaps filled

Conclusion

The National Development Plan represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Ireland’s infrastructure. But unless the Government matches financial investment with a global talent strategy, these ambitious goals will remain on paper.

Back 4 Good offers a ready-made solution. Ireland must act now .