Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
701. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the latest estimated cost of a proposed transport infrastructure project (details supplied); the scale of the likely contribution required by the Exchequer, as well as the possible scale of financial support that may be available from the EU and European Investment Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25050/13]
View answerThe Dart Underground project was postponed in November 2010 arising from the very difficult financial situation and the reduced funding for capital projects. The DART Underground tunnel element which had been proposed as a PPP required significant Exchequer support and is not currently affordable given the level of resources available for transport investment. Together with Metro North it will be reviewed again in advance of the next capital plan which will commence in 2016.
In this regard I have instructed my Department to commence work on a “Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport” as a foundation document to inform that plan. As part of the development of this framework, the National Transport Authority (NTA) which is responsible for the planning and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) has been tasked with examining the transport investment needs in the GDA region focussing particularly on the two major public transport proposals – Metro North and DART Underground. The outcome of that work will then be analysed and will inform the preparation of the Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. Updated costings and likely funding options will only be available at that stage.
Prior to its postponement the European Investment Bank (EIB) had indicated a keen interest in supporting DART Underground and this interest was confirmed to me at a recent meeting I had with the EIB Management Board. As regards EU funding DART Underground is currently part of the Trans European Network (TEN-T) Belfast-Dublin-Cork Priority Project. It will also be included in the updated Core Ten-T Network and I have also proposed that it be designated part of a specific Core Corridor under the Regulations governing the next round of Ten-T funding for the period 2014 -2020. This means that if the Dart Underground project or elements of the overall programme are included in the next capital programme they will be eligible for some limited co- funding under Ten-T.
I expect that DART Underground will remain a key element of the overall transport integration strategy as it would deliver a quantum improvement in rail accessibility to the city centre with benefits for each of the four rail corridors radiating from the city centre. The timing of its delivery however is heavily dependent on economic recovery and access to a variety of funding sources.
