Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

236 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her precise responsibilities in relation to services operated by Dublin Bus; the role, if any, she has in the allocation of resources to Dublin Bus; the role, if any, she has in influencing the use of State resources allocated to CIÉ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2239/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

As the Minister with responsibility for public transport, I have made a strong case to both the Government and the EU for additional funding for public transport and I have been successful in this regard. Arising from the decision to reallocate the EU aid for the Luas project, additional bus and rail investment totalling £97.5 million was approved. For the first time EU aid was provided as part of the Luas package for the purchase of additional buses by Dublin Bus. Exchequer co-financing was also provided for the first time for EU assisted bus and rail projects. The 1999 Estimates provide Exchequer funding for the purchase by Dublin Bus of a further 100 buses.

The operation of public transport services by Dublin Bus is a matter for that company and I have no statutory function in that regard.

The level of the annual CIE Exchequer subvention and the allocation of other State financial resources to CIE or its operating subsidiaries are decided by the Government as part of the annual Estimates process. The allocation of the subvention among the operating subsidiaries is currently a matter for CIE but these arrangement will change with the establishment of public service contracts under which the State will puchase specific public transport services.