Ireland accused of being slow to tap €315bn EU infrastructure fund

Governments all over the EU have sought funding from the European Investment Bank for infrastructure and job creation projects — but Ireland has been accused of being slow to tap the pot of money.

While the country was one of the first to apply for and be approved for three projects — health centres, Irish Water, and renewable energy — other countries have been more active in seeking a share of the €315bn fund, said Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune (FG).

“The bigger member states such as Spain, Germany, France, and Poland will be well-prepared for this and will already have forward-looking plans in place to maximise their gains from the plan,” she said.