Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 February 2010
307 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport his proposals for investment in each segment of the transport sector over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6814/10]
View answerTransport 21 continues to provide the strategic framework for capital spending on transport infrastructure in the areas of national roads, public transport, and regional airports into the future. However, in the light of the changed economic circumstances, it has been necessary to review investment priorities across all Government Departments. The results of this review are reflected in the Renewed Programme for Government and in my Department's transport priorities for the coming years which are as follows:
Roads
My Department's priorities for national roads are the completion of the major inter-urban network and the M50 upgrade by end 2010 and the progression of the Atlantic Road Corridor. The priority for regional and local roads will be to maintain the current level of funding and to focus that expenditure on protecting existing investment on these roads.
Public Transport
In addition to completing a number of important projects which are already underway, the priority for public transport is to deliver significantly increased long term capacity to the network through:
the construction of Metro North;
the construction of Dart Underground and the implementation of the associated electrification, signalling and rolling stock investments;
investment in buses, bus priority and real time passenger information, subject to the implementation of the recent cost efficiency reviews and the availability of subvention.
Airports
State airport investment is funded by the Dublin Airport Authority without recourse to the Exchequer. The priority for Exchequer investment in regional airports is the completion of existing contractual commitments.
Sustainable Travel
The priority for sustainable travel is the completion of a number of projects that are currently under construction. Further projects will be started in 2010. In particular, schemes will be selected from the Smarter Travel Demonstration Areas Fund and the Smarter Travel Demonstration Projects Fund competitions. Details of these will be available on www.smartertravel.ie as progress is made.
Maritime Transport
Government ports policy states that the commercial port companies should fund capital investment projects from their own resources without recourse to the Exchequer. However the Department will continue to fund remedial works at regional harbours.
Planning
We will also continue planning other investment projects across the sector to enable their earliest possible delivery when the economic situation improves.
308 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if moneys from the Vote for his Department under any heading or subheading have been allocated or awarded to any body, group or agency including the National Roads Authority or Kildare County Council; if mention was made to address the urgent need for road restoration following the recent weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6815/10]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to grant allocations made in respect of roads. The 2010 allocations for national roads were announced on 1st February 2010, the details of which are set out in the National Roads Authority document entitled: "Grant Allocations to local authorities for National Roads — 2010", a copy of which I recently had placed in the Oireachtas Library. Included in that document is a detailed breakdown of the allocations made to each local authority, including Kildare County Council, to fund both the improvement and the maintenance of national roads during the year. I will shortly announce the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations.
