Brussels, 3 January 2025
On 23 December, the EU Commission received the second payment request from Ireland for €115.5 million in grants, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
Irelands’ second payment request concerns 17 milestones and targets.
It covers reforms that aim to bridge the digital skills gap through targeted training programs, enhance healthcare quality through the establishment of Community Health Networks, and increase access to affordable housing in Ireland. Other key reform actions include annual increases in the carbon tax rate, streamlining the pension landscape for greater simplicity and consistency, and broader application of the SME test to reduce regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship. The request also covers investments in the areas of sustainable transport through the award of contracts for investments in the Cork Commuter Rail, the improvement of digital infrastructure by installing broadband routers in schools, the establishment of four European Digital Innovation Hubs in Ireland, and the launch of the Green Transition Fund to help businesses move away from fossil fuels and towards more sustainable alternatives.
The Commission will now assess Ireland’s fulfilment of the milestones and targets linked to this payment request. It will then share its preliminary assessment with the Council’s Economic and Financial Committee.
Irelands’ overall Recovery and Resilience Plan will be financed by €1.154 billion. More information on the Irish plan is available online.