The €180 billion National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013, to be launched tomorrow, will commit the Government to investment in a number of key areas including transport, children's initiatives, housing, social programmes, education, enterprise and the all-island economy.
The massive spending programme, which will include a €50 billion investment in social inclusion, is designed to give the Government a boost in the run-up to the general election.
Critics claim that much of the programme will involve the repackaging of previously-announced spending commitments in areas such as roads, health and housing.
Social inclusion is being included as a priority in the NDP for the first time. Of the €50 billion earmarked for this area, €13 billion will be spent on children's programmes, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen will reveal.
A Government source said that the emphasis would be on improving quality of life and preparing the Republic for a huge increase in population over the next decade.
Key "quality of life" issues will be addressed and there will be a strong focus on balanced regional development based on the National Spatial Strategy.
The Minister will also announce a €300 million "gateway innovation fund" for organisations in the so-called "gateway towns".
The idea is that local groups could bid for money from the fund for proposed projects. It is hoped that these projects would be complemented with private development.
"Local authorities and private developers alike who come up with good project ideas will be eligible to apply for funding.
It is hoped that this will provide leverage for private investment also," said a Government source.
The fund will be in place for three years, but if successful it may be extended.
Headlined "Transforming Ireland - A Better Quality of Life for All", the plan will be divided into five priority areas:
• Economic infrastructure, including transport;
• Enterprise, science and innovation;
• Human capital, to include higher-education programmes and skills;
• Social infrastructure, including housing programmes;
• Social inclusion, including childcare initiatives.
State investment spending under the programme will amount to more than €75 billion. Other substantial investment by State bodies and the private sector will bring total spending on all elements of the plan to more than €180 billion.
Apart from the €50 billion children's programme, other key commitments in the plan will be 100,000 new social and affordable homes and €50 billion on economic infrastructure such as roads, public transport, energy and the roll-out of broadband.
Significant amounts will be spent on enterprise, science, training and infrastructure, including targets to build new prisons and courthouses.
The plan also includes the commitment in "Transport 21" to spend €34 billion on transport infrastructure.
It promises to speed up investment in schools, especially in new commuter towns, areas experiencing dramatic growth and places where there is a shortage of school places.
There will be a detailed programme for the elderly and an initiative to encourage more older people to stay at home. There will also be investment in nursing home facilities.
In addition, the NDP will outline commitments to help develop an all-island economy as per the Belfast Agreement.
Areas for North-South co-operation will include infrastructure, energy, transport and Border routes, with a special emphasis on developing the Dublin-Belfast and Dublin-Derry roads.
NDP: key priority areas
1Economic infrastructure: including transport, roads, airports and ports; energy infrastructure; environmental services such as water and waste; and communications and broadband roll-out.
2Enterprise, science and innovation: including science and technology; third- and fourth-level education; enterprise development; tourism development; agriculture and food development; rural and social economy; and marine and coastal issues.
3Human capital: including training and skills; higher-education programmes; and modernisation and development of schools.
4Social infrastructure: including social and affordable housing; development of acute hospitals, primary and community-care services; development of prisons and courts; and sports, culture and heritage.
5Social inclusion: including a major children's programme and a continuation of the childcare strategy; funding for disadvantaged; youth justice initiatives; and disability sector initiatives.