Departmental Bodies Expenditure

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Questions (671)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

671. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount of funding available to the National Transport Authority in each of the past seven years to date; the basis on which such funds were spent; the locations; the extent to which the advice of the local authorities was sought prior to expenditure; if the advice of such local authorities was taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56230/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The National Transport Authority (NTA) was established on 1st December 2009. In accordance with the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) Act 2008, the functions of the NTA include securing the provision of public transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA.

The following is the capital funding allocated by the NTA in the GDA since its establishment:

2010: €359.7m

2011: €211m

2012: €129m as per the Revised Estimates. The actual outturn will not be available until early 2013.

This funding is allocated and prioritised in line with the priorities identified in Government approved capital plans, currently the "Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016, Medium Term Exchequer Framework".

There are 4 separate broad funding headings - heavy rail, light rail, bus projects and integration /traffic management. Under the latter heading the NTA operates a programme of grant assistance to the 7 GDA Local Authorities to support the development of sustainable transport measures such as projects which increase the use of public transport, cycling and walking.

I understand the NTA cordinates with the GDA local authorities to agree work programmes and is currently coordinating closely in relation to the 2013 work programmes in order to ensure the optimum use of the available funding.

Further information on the capital funding provided by the NTA to local authorities in the GDA and regional cities is available on their website http://www.nationaltransport.ie/projects-schemes/transport-projects/.