Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 5

Written Answers. - Capital Projects.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

99 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the capital projects financed by her Department which have commenced or will commence construction in the Waterford constituency during 2000; the amount involved in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12139/00]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

100 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the new services or extension to existing services which have commenced or will commence in the Waterford constituency funded by her during 2000; the amount involved in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12140/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.

The national development plan makes provision for substantial investment in public transport in the southern and eastern region including Waterford. This includes major track renewal on the Waterford line, including upgrading of level crossings along with bridge renewal and fencing programmes. Between 2000 and 2002 there will be approximately £7 million spent on the Waterford-Dublin line under the rail safety programme, with £3 million being spent in 2000.

Bus Éireann also plans to upgrade facilities at several locations in the south-east region including Waterford.

Following the success of the high frequency service on the Dublin-Galway and DublinLimerick routes, similar development is planned for the Tralee-Waterford corridors. Improved frequency between Waterford-Limerick and Waterford-Dublin services is also planned.

Within Waterford city, service improvements include increased frequency and extension of Farran Park route. A new bus station at Merchant's Quay, Waterford, opened in March 2000. There will be expenditure of approximately £3 million on improvements on Bus Eireann services in Waterford over the period of the National Development Plan 2000-06, with approximately £1 million being spent in 2000.

I recently awarded £155,000 to Waterford Regional Airport for marketing and promotion purposes. Under the national development plan, £3 million has been awarded for incremental infrastructural improvement works and upgrades in facilities at the regional airports in the south and east region. Under this plan substantial support will be provided for agreed infrastructural improvements at Waterford Regional Airport.

Under the economic infrastructure operational programme, £118,135 has been allocated to Waterford Internet Centre Limited for investment in e-kiosks in the south-east and a further £103,400 has been allocated to Eircom for the development of a broadband network between Ardmore, County Waterford and Youghal, County Cork as part of a broadband access project. Both of these projects are due for completion during 2000.