Other NDP news in brief...
The priority afforded in the plan to investment in social infrastructure was welcomed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Its general secretary, David Begg, said the plan provided a "major opportunity" to redress imbalances and inequalities in society.
"We have long argued that the economic and social needed to be seen as complementary rather than antagonistic. It appears that philosophy has in some measure been taken on board. Deficits in health, housing, education, care and transport exacerbate and aggravate existing inequalities. Tackle them and you lay the foundations for a more equitable society."
However, Mr Begg said it was time to re-examine the inappropriateness of public-private partnerships, and called for their use to be limited to projects involving capital expenditure of more than €100 million.
The Irish Planning Institute welcomed the emphasis in the plan on the delivery of the National Spatial Strategy and the attempts to reduce the problem of "infrastructure deficit".
However, the institute - which represents planners working in public and private practice - warned that there must be more planning and co-ordination between the zoning of land and the timely availability of adequate infrastructure. Otherwise there was a risk that the worrying pattern of outward sprawl of population in the Greater Dublin Area would continue.
The plan should make a significant contribution to addressing infrastructural deficits in the provinces, the Association of Irish Regions said.
The association, which represents eight regional authorities and two regional assemblies, said there was now an opportunity to integrate the National Spatial Strategy into the plan.
It also praised the plan for offering "excellent opportunities" to increase economic co-operation with Northern Ireland.