Finian McGrath
Question:718. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount of taxpayers' money allocated to the DART transport system for each year from 2007 to 2012. [24082/13]
View answerTuesday, 21 May 2013
Questions (718)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the DART network, comes under the remit of the NTA. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. He should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days. In the period between 2007 and the establishment of the NTA, a total of €58.4 million in Exchequer funding was provided directly to Iarnród Éireann in respect of the DART refurbishment project. This project was completed in late 2008. During this period, my Department also provided Public Services Obligation payments of €542 million to Iarnród Éireann for the entire rail network, including the DART system.