Written Answers Nos. 273-291
273. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the metro north project; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2522/18]
View answer274. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the DART underground project; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2523/18]
View answer275. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the DART expansion programme; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2524/18]
View answer276. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the Dublin city centre resignalling programme; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2525/18]
View answer277. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2526/18]
View answer278. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the central traffic control centre for commuter and intercity rail; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2527/18]
View answer279. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation both from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to safety and efficiency maintenance of the rail network; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2528/18]
View answer281. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the capital plan to the acquisition of replacement buses; the amount that has been spent; the number of buses acquired; the estimated expenditure on replacement buses over the life of the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2530/18]
View answer282. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to upgrading quality bus corridors; the amount that has been spent to date; the number of bus corridors upgraded; the estimated capital expenditure to be spent over the remaining life of the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2531/18]
View answer309. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the smarter travel policy; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finish the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2558/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 279, inclusive, 281, 282 and 309 together.
The Government’s budgetary framework for capital investment, 'Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021' published in September 2015, provided funding to progress a number of key public transport projects included in the National Transport Authority's (NTA) 'Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035'. Following the recent mid-term review of the Capital Plan, the allocations announced in Budget 2018 allow for an enhanced four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion for public transport over the period 2018-2021. This funding will progress key capital programmes that will help address congestion and emerging capacity constraints on our public transport system across our cities and will include BusConnects GDA, Metro North and Luas, Heavy Rail and DART Expansion, Maintenance of the existing Rail Network, Cycling & Walking, Sustainable Urban Transport as well as allocations for Carbon Reduction measures, accessibility retro-fit and ticketing system upgrades.
In response to the specific questions raised by the Deputy I wish to advise the following:
The Phoenix Park Tunnel Link project is now complete and opened for passenger services in November 2016. I am advised that the total capital cost of the project was €13.5 million.
In relation to the Smarter Travel Policy 2009-2020, allocations were made to fund an overall Smarter Travel & Sustainable Transport Measures programme in the GDA and Regional Cities. This has funded the Regional Cities Programme, the Sustainable Transport Measures Grant (STMG) Programme, and a range of Smarter Travel initiatives (including the Smarter Travel Areas Programme, Active Travel Towns, National Cycle Network, development of greenways and other measures to support sustainable transport and travel such as mobility management initiatives and Bike Week). €46 million and €42 million were drawn down in 2016 and 2017. An allocation of €251 million has been earmarked to support Sustainable Urban Transport and specific urban Cycling and Walking investment over the period 2018-2021.
In relation to safety and efficiency maintenance of the rail network, Iarnród Éireann has responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the heavy rail network. In accordance with the requirements of EU law, my Department provides annual capital funding to Iarnród Éireann for the maintenance and renewal of the network under the Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract (IMMAC). €134 million and €158.77 million was allocated to Iarnród Éireann for 2016, 2017, with €160m allocated for 2018.
In relation to Metro North, funding of over €700 million has been allocated under the Government’s present Capital Plan 2016-2021 for planning, design and construction of new Metro North with construction work commencing in 2021 and passenger services starting in 2027. The estimated cost of completing the new Metro North project is €2.4 billion. The NTA, in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is undertaking an option analysis and selection study of possible metro alignments and station locations. Arising from this work a final route and station location will be established. It is my understanding that the NTA and TII expect that this process will be completed shortly, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken on the Emerging Preferred Route (EPR). It is also expected that Preliminary Design will commence early this year.
With regard to the Deputy's questions on bus fleet and bus corridors the recently announced 4 Year Capital Plan provides for investment of over €770 million to progress the BusConnects programme. It was launched last summer by the NTA and work is ongoing on the redesign of the bus services network and also on infrastructure proposals for Core Bus Corridors which will be an integral part of the programme. When this work is completed the proposals will be launched for public consultation in the first half of this year. The results of the public consultation will inform the final decisions to be made on the network redesign, Core Bus Corridors and park and ride facilities. In particular, BusConnects will help address growing congestion in the Dublin region in the short to medium term. In addition to providing the obvious considerable improvement in bus infrastructure, the investment will also provide much improved cycling and walking facilities along the key corridors.
In relation to the remaining questions raised by the Deputy, funding of €230 million over the period 2018-2021 is allocated for mainline rail projects (including City Centre Resignalling and the National Train Control Centre) and DART capacity enhancement that will allow acceleration of the initial stages of the overall DART Expansion Programme, focussing particularly at this stage on providing additional fleet to enhance capacity, and extending the electrified DART system. Specifically, it will allow substantial progress on electrification of the Northern rail line as far as Balbriggan - now expected to be delivered in 2022 - and commencing work on the Maynooth line. The remaining elements of the DART Expansion programme are being considered in the context of the 10 year investment plan that is expected to be published in the near future.
Noting the responsibilities of the NTA and Iarnród Éireann, I have forwarded the Deputy’s questions on DART Expansion, City Centre Re-signalling and the National Train Control Centre to both organisations for further information in relation to expenditure on the specific projects referred to by the Deputy. I have also forwarded the Deputy's questions on expenditure to date on the Metro North project and expenditure on buses to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
280. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a feasibility study has been implemented in accordance to the capital plan to examine options for expanding freight on the railways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2529/18]
View answerMy Department is reviewing how it intervenes in the various freight modes of road, rail, maritime and air, to identify how we can best support all involved in the logistics chain, including producers, retailers, importers, exporters and transport providers. The proportion of freight in Ireland moved by rail is low at present, at a little over 1% of total domestic freight tonnage. However, there has been some growth in recent years with a 6% increase of rail freight tonne-kms between 2012 and 2014. Irish Rail has estimated that rail’s share of the freight market could grow organically to 5%, while with significant investment a target of 10% of all freight could be reached.
I understand that rail freight revenue increased in 2016, with total tonne kilometres increasing from 96.4 million to 101.4 million. Iarnród Éireann continues to progress work building on recent trials in longer freight trains in 2016 which aims to strengthen the commercial competitiveness of rail freight. I understand that Iarnród Éireann has also engaged with a number of parties regarding substantial rail freight opportunities within the Bio Mass market focussing on the commercial, environmental and wider economic value that rail freight offers within these markets.
The key priorities for investment in the rail network are largely framed by the recommendations of my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport which was published in 2015. This informed the Government’s Capital Plan setting out the need to protect investments made to date and to maintain safety standards in the rail network. Prioritisation of this category of investment is also a key finding of a recent Public Investment Management Assessment of Ireland conducted by the International Monetary Fund. My officials continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that these recommendations underpin the ten year capital investment plan which I understand will be published shortly. Finally in context of national and EU objectives to shift to lower-emission modes of transport, growth in the role of rail freight is desirable and my Department will continue to examine how such growth may be promoted.
283. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the roads maintenance programme; the amount that has been spent to date; the estimated capital cost to expected to the end of the capital project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2532/18]
View answerThe capital investment programme in the roads sector continues to be framed by the conclusions reached in the Department's Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport (SFILT) which highlighted the importance of the maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with targeted investments to improve the existing network.
Most of the expenditure in the programme is being directed towards road maintenance and renewal and meeting contractual commitments under the road PPP programme (these contracts cover maintenance of the road sections involved). Overall it is estimated that expenditure under these headings will account for close to €3 billion of the €4.2 billion allocated for roads capital expenditure in the period to 2021 including the extra Capital Review monies.
As regards grant expenditure to date for regional and local roads under the Building on Recovery Plan, this information is included in the Regional and Local Roads Payment and Allocations Booklets which are available in the Oireachtas library.
In relation to capital maintenance to date under the Plan on national roads, I have referred the Deputy's question to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for reply. Please advise my Office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
284. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the N5 Westport to Turlough project; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2533/18]
View answer285. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2534/18]
View answer286. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the N8/N25 Dunkettle interchange project; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2535/18]
View answer287. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin project; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2536/18]
View answer288. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the M7 Naas to Newbridge bypass widening project; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2537/18]
View answer289. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the N56 Dungloe to Glenties project; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2538/18]
View answer290. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the Moycullen bypass project; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2539/18]
View answer291. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the N56 Mountcharles to Inver road; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2540/18]
View answer300. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the Adare bypass; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finish the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2549/18]
View answer301. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the Slane bypass; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finish the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2550/18]
View answer302. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finish the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2551/18]
View answer303. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the N69 Shannon to Foynes road; the amount that has been spent to date; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; the estimated capital cost to finish the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2552/18]
View answer310. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the Cork Limerick road; the current estimate on the cost of the project; the original timeframe for the completion of the project; the timeframe for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2559/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 284 to 291, inclusive, 300 to 303, inclusive, and 310 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, 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 a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
The planned new national road improvement schemes in the Capital Plan include schemes with planning consent and projects which need project appraisal sign-off and planning consent. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
