Dublin City Council outline nearly €4 billion euro in capital expenditure for next three years
Capital expenditure for Dublin City Council over the next three years amounts to an estimated €3.879 billion.
At yesterday’s monthly council meeting representatives noted the Capital Programme 2026 - 2028 which indicates the programme of capital projects being undertaken. The vast majority of the budget is going towards housing and building projects, which amounts to 69.9% of total expenditure, or €2.713bn.
Other expenditure includes: Road Transportation and Safety (€0.412bn), Surface Water Drainage & Flood Relief Works (€0.041bn), Development Incentives and Controls (€0.113bn), Environmental Protection (€0.065bn), Culture, Recreation & Amenity (€0.396bn), and Miscellaneous Services (€0.138bn).
The delivery of the programme’s projects is significantly dependent on grant funding from government and other state agencies. Grant income comprises 74.3% of total funding, City Council income from development levies for 6.1% of funding, income from other sources is 12.1%, development capital funding 1.4% and loan borrowings 6.1%.
Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare stated in the report that delivery under previous Capital Programmes has been "disappointing." He cited long procurement processes, difficulties retaining project management staff, and the impact of international conflict on the construction sector as major reasons for the council underdelivering in the past.
“It is also clear the City Council has also been unduly optimistic in estimating project timescales. In preparing this programme, a special effort has been made to ensure that it is more realistic and that the various projects are capable of being delivered within the timescales indicated,” he said.
With a goal of delivering 9,087 social homes in 2026, ongoing works at Montpelier (O’Devaney Gardens), Oscar Traynor Road, and Emmet Road showcase a commitment to achieving this aim. “The Housing and Building Programme accounts for 81% of expenditure on committed projects and 51% of expenditure on proposed projects. This reflects the priority attached by the City Council to social housing/homeless provision,” the report states.
Beyond housing, there are several flagship projects across the city centre, the Camden Yard purchase aims to create new civic offices for council staff at a total estimated cost of €581. This move could also unlock the site of the current offices Wood Quay for residential use .
Phase 1 of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter aims to deliver a new City Library at Parnell Square North and act as the centre of a new cultural hub focused on literature, art, heritage, and the community. Funding for this consists of Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) support and loan borrowings. A €56 million URDF allocation has been already been secured, and additional URDF funding is being sought.
The Dalymount Park Redevelopment is a €63.7 million plan to build an 8,000-capacity stadium for Bohemian FC and a new community facility. Funding for this comes from the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) as well as a loan application for €34 million that was approved at the November 2025 council meeting.
The Grow College Green project aims to reimagine the historic centre of Dublin while prioritising pedestrians. With funding from the council, NTA, and Department of Climate, this €80m project will integrate carbon reduction measures, enhanced biodiversity, heat-stress mitigation, and sustainable mobility.
These projects offer a glimpse of what Dublin City Council has in the pipeline over the next three years and was broadly welcomed by councillors. As a rolling programme, the Capital Programme will be revised annually to reflect changing priorities, new projects, and availability resources.
A full breakdown of the Capital Programme 2026 - 2028 can be found at www.https://www.dublincity.ie/
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