Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2013
92. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there was an underspend of the capital allocation in his Department; the capital projects that have begun by his Department since the beginning of 2013; the capital projects his Department has planned to commence before the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40826/13]
View answerThis year my Department's Gross Capital allocation is €900m. It is too early at this point to forecast underspend with any precision, particularly as the greater share of capital expenditure tends to occur in the latter part of the year. Capital expenditure to the end of August amounted to €513m. Most of my Department's capital expenditure programme is channelled through statutory agencies such as the National Road Authority who regularly publish details of projects underway. With an early Budget Day this year, my Department is currently in discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the potential for carrying forward some capital funding into 2014 to cater for projects which have encountered delays for one reason or another and may not be in a position to draw down their allocation this year.
Aviation
As regards the regional airports, over half of the €4 million allocated for capital projects in 2013 has been allocated for runway end safety areas (RESAs) and related works at Knock, Kerry and Waterford airports. The balance has been allocated for a range of other safety and security projects such as airport screening equipment, navigational equipment, airfield ground lighting, airport boundary fencing, etc.
Land Transport
Details of funding for regional and local road projects are outlined in the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations booklet, available in the Dáil Library. As regards national roads, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is however a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Public Transport Capital projects are undertaken by the relevant Agencies, ie. the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the CIE Group of Companies. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA, the NTA and CIE for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days. In relation to Smarter Travel, the National Cycle Network seed funding programme has commenced in 2013 at a cost of €420,000.
Maritime Transport and Irish Coast Guard
Under the Harbours programme, a total of €3.5m has been allocated to Wicklow County Council for remedial works at Arklow Harbour and €2.6m has been allocated to Cork County Council for remedial works at Baltimore and Kinsale Harbours. In relation to the IRCG, the Doolin Coast Guard Unit Building Project commenced in July 2013.
Sports
My Department expects all of the Sports Capital Programmes and the Local Authority Swimming Pools Programme allocations to be spent this year. Both the Programmes provide funding to external organisations to assist in the provision of sports facilities and as such my Department does not commence projects itself. In relation to the National Sport Campus Development Authority, the capital allocation is provided to the Authority and that agency undertakes the development of the campus projects. The Authority expects there will be no underspend in 2013.
Tourism
The capital allocation for Tourism is provided to Fáilte Ireland to support capital investment in tourism, and to carry out essential works on the Fáilte Ireland network of offices. Fáilte Ireland has advised my Department that there will be no underspend in relation to its capital allocation for 2013.
