Vol. 575 No. 1
1 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the underspend in the Border, midlands and western region under the national development plan; the action he intends to take to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27879/03]
Expenditure on national roads and public transport in the BMW region over the period 2000 to 2002 amounted to €748 million. This is approximately 64.5% of that forecast under the national development plan and its associated economic and social infrastructure operational programme. Expenditure on national roads was €593 million or 69% of the amount forecast, while expenditure on public transport was €155 million or 51% of that forecast. Final expenditure figures for 2003 will not be available until early 2004, but are not expected to change these proportions substantially.
The underspend on national roads in the BMW region reflects the increased cost of the national roads programme and the number of high cost projects in the south and east regions that had advanced through planning which absorbed a substantial proportion of the available funding since 2000. In response to my request in the context of the 2003 Estimates, the National Roads Authority has advanced a number of national roads projects in the BMW region and, as a result, work has either started or is due to start in the coming months on ten projects benefiting the BMW region, namely, the Carrickmacross bypass, the Sligo inner relief route, two projects – Hughestown-Meara and McNeads Bridge-Kinnegad – on the N4, the Dundalk western bypass, and the Kilcock-Kinnegad, Monasterevin, Loughrea, Ballina-Bohola and Ballyshannon-Bundoran bypasses. These projects represent an investment of more than €750 million and will substantially improve road access to and within the BMW region.
While financial progress in the BMW region on public transport projects to date has been slower than anticipated, it is recognised that significant physical progress has been made on key rail infrastructural projects, for example, rail track work and associated works under the rail safety programme and the rail track and resignalling project. The key rail lines into the BMW region are on target to be completely upgraded to continuous welded rail on concrete sleepers by the end of 2003. Work on the network track and resignalling project in the BMW region is proceeding satisfactorily and work was completed on the Dublin-Galway line in June this year.
It must also be borne in mind that certain projects, for example, the upgrading and improvements in Heuston Station at a cost of more than €100 million, the employment created in Drogheda arising from the new diesel rail depot, the upgrading of the rail lines out of Dublin to the west and south and the new rolling stock being acquired benefit the BMW region.
Additional informationIn considering the balance of investment between the regions, it is important to bear in mind that the roads and public transport infrastructure investment programmes are national programmes with national benefits. The benefits of the investment are not confined to one region. As regards infrastructural development at the regional airports of Donegal, Sligo, Galway and Knock, all agreed projects will be completed broadly within the specified NDP budget and on time.
Will the Minister correct the record because, to the best of my knowledge, Heuston Station is not in the BMW region? What benefit will the Monasterevin bypass and the Dundalk motorway have for the BMW region? What benefit will the new maintenance works in Drogheda have for the BMW region?
The Minister outlined the fall-off in funding in the BMW region. However, there has been a 138% spend on roads in the south and east region compared with the target set. The figure for public transport is 174%. There does not seem to be a difficulty with the costs of projects in the south and east compared with the BMW region. Since the Minister took office, the spend in the BMW region stands at 48% of that forecast, which is significantly lower than the average, but it is significantly higher in the south and east region. The Minister has continued that policy in 2003.
I made it clear to the National Roads Authority and to agencies such as the Railway Procurement Agency that I expect the balance to be addressed. Deputy Naughten referred to the reasons, such as the increased cost of the programme. There were a number of high priority, high cost projects in the south and east which were advanced in planning and which absorbed additional funding. I acknowledge that investment in the roads programme in the BMW region is behind that anticipated. I expect the National Roads Authority to catch up in that regard as soon as possible. Public transport investment in the BMW region is also behind what it should be in terms of the national development plan. I have also asked CIE to catch up in that regard.
We are taking measures to restore the balance. Ten projects in or partly in the BMW region are at tender stage, while a further 25 major projects in the BMW region on the N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, N15, N17 and N18 are at planning stage. All these will come on stream over the next few years. The Deputy knows that the investments in the east, such as the tunnel and the M50, have absorbed funding beyond what was anticipated. That has affected the BMW region. We must acknowledge that the figures I have given the House today recognise that.
I know that roads such as the Kilcock-Kinnegad bypass and Heuston Station are not in the BMW region. One of the main reasons for the investment of €100 million in Heuston Station, for example, is to free up access to the Galway line so that the commuter lines do not interfere with it and, therefore, more services can be provided to Galway city. The Deputy is right that it is not technically in the BMW region, but it is of use to it. Parts of the Kilcock-Kinnegad bypass will not be in the BMW region, but when I go to Galway, I will want to use it. It will, therefore, be of use to the region.
I do not know how walking an additional 500 metres on a platform to get a train is regarded as an improvement in services. Of the €518 million promised for public transport, approximately €259 million will be spent based on current projections. That will leave an additional €259 million. Will the Minister use that to prioritise the western rail corridor?
I have arranged to meet the groups associated with the western rail corridor. I did not share the view in the strategic rail review that it did not have a future. I intend to engage with the groups to see if some progress can be made.
Is there any commitment?
