Published 26 February 2026 · Updated 1 October 2026
Cost changes on major Irish public projects
Below, for each tracked project with more than one published cost figure, is an earlier figure, the latest figure and the difference. Where the two figures cover different scope or price bases, that is flagged beside the number — in those cases part of the difference reflects what the figure includes, not a change in price.
We have not added the variances together: they are measured in different years' prices and on different bases, so a total would not be meaningful.
MetroLink
Department of Transport · 2022 approved estimate (restated, 2025 prices) → 2026 estimate
- Earlier figure
- €10.7bn
- Jul 2022
- Latest figure
- €15.75bn
- 16 Sep 2026
- Documented variance
- +€5.05bn / +47%
- Like-for-like
National Children's Hospital
Department of Health · 2017 Government decision → latest total (Feb 2025)
- Earlier figure
- €983m
- Apr 2017
- Latest figure
- €2.24bn
- 19 Feb 2025
- Documented variance
- +€1.26bn / +128%
- Not like-for-like
The 2017 figure covered construction; the latest figure also includes equipping, ICT and commissioning. Part of the difference is scope, not price.
PPARS health service payroll system
Department of Health / Health Service Executive · Original estimate → reported cost to 2005
- Earlier figure
- €9.1m
- 1997
- Latest figure
- €220m
- 2005
- Documented variance
- +€210.9m / +2318%
- Not like-for-like
The project scope grew over its life, and the figures are in different years' prices.
National Broadband Plan
Department of Culture, Communications and Sport · Contract award cap → current cap
- Earlier figure
- €2.9bn
- Nov 2019
- Latest figure
- €2.7bn
- Aug 2022
- Documented variance
- −€200m / −7%
- Like-for-like