Denis Naughten
Question:383 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the original cost of projects in the NDP under his Department; the revised cost of each of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22284/02]
Written Answers. - National Development Plan.
The national development plan sets out a programme of investment in public transport to address the key infrastructure deficits in the greater Dublin area and nationally. The plan provided for the following investments in 1999 prices:
|
€million |
|
|
Dublin Suburban Rail |
235 |
|
Luas |
546 |
|
Dublin Bus Network Development |
279 |
|
Mainline Rail |
635 |
|
Regional, rural and provincial bus services |
173 |
|
Integration |
63 |
|
Accessibility |
13 |
|
Rural Transport |
4.4 |
In addition, a rail contingency fund of €635 million was set aside for future development of the suburban rail network pending further evaluation of a range of options to address deficits in the greater Dublin area. Subsequently, the DTO "Platform for Change", published in November 2001, identified the requirement for significantly enhanced projects over and above the NDP to address the deficits in the public transport infrastructure in the greater Dublin area. The "Platform for Change" sets out a programme of investment over the period 2000 to 2016 at an estimated cost of €21.9 billion.
Accordingly, additional funding is being made available for public transport projects to reflect this enhanced investment programme. In the current year, €410 million is being made available compared with €253 million in 2000. This is apart from EU funding and the funding available from own resources of CIE and the RPA. In addition, new methods of funding capital projects will be explored on the basis set out in the programme for Government.
The Book of Estimates, published on 14 November 2002, also provides for in excess of €400 million in investment in capital funding for public transport. The 2003 allocation continues the unprecedented level of investment in public transport, which began in 1999 and will ensure that the development and expansion of the public transport network in Dublin and the regions is maintained as a priority by the Government.
The estimated cost of the national roads programme in construction and planning in 1999 was €6.9 billion in1999 prices. As the full implementation of this programme would have extended beyond 2006 the NDP provided for a total investment programme of €5.59 billion in 1999 prices towards the implementation of the programme over the period 2000-06.
The current estimated cost of the full programme is €15.8 billion in January 2002 prices including expenditure in 2000 and 2001 and post 2006 expenditure. The main reasons for the increase in the cost of the programme are some initial under-estimation in 1999, construction cost inflation, higher land costs particularly near urban areas, additional cost on some major projects and more accurate and complete cost estimates as projects proceed through detailed planning. Expenditure on the programme over the period 2000-02 will be approximately €2.628 billion which is more than 12% in excess of that planned under the NDP.
First round grant commitments under the regional airports measure cover the 2002-03 period. A total of 37 projects at the six regional airports were approved for funding based on a total estimated cost of €11.3 million. Grant aid will amount €9.16 million.