Public Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 May 2004

Tuesday, 4 May 2004

Questions (102, 103)

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

109 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to announce the full details of the capital investment programme for public transport; if projects such as the rail interconnector in Dublin, the new western rail corridor, additional Luas lines or other public transport projects, not included in the €2.3 billion capital investment package announced on the 22 March 2004, will have to wait until after 2008 to start receiving funding. [12546/04]

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

116 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Transport if he will expand on his recent announcement that €3.5 billion is to be invested in public transport over the next five years; the projects he will be prioritising in that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12511/04]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 116 together.

My Department is currently concluding a capital investment framework agreement with the Department of Finance for the period 2004-08. The agreement will give formal effect to the announcement made in the budget by the Minister for Finance that five-year multi-annual capital envelopes would be introduced for all investment areas.

The agreement will provide for an allocation of €2.3 billion to my Department for public transport in the period 2004 to 2008. Direct Exchequer funding will account for more than €1.7 billion while the remainder will come from private investment. CIE own resources will also contribute significantly to the overall investment programme.

In anticipation of the conclusions of the agreement, my Department, in consultation with the relevant State agencies, is drawing up a priorities investment programme for public transport. The programme, as well as determining the priority of projects to be implemented in the period up to 2008, will also look at the period beyond 2008.