Written Answers Nos. 285-296
285. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a feasibility study has been implemented in accordance with the capital plan to examine options for expanding freight on the railways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43116/18]
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. Under the Government’s Capital Plan, the key priority for investment in the rail network is to protect investments made to date and to maintain safety standards. In the 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, in co-operation with Iarnród Éireann, to examine how such growth may be promoted.
288. Deputy Robert Troy 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 expected to the end of the capital project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43119/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. When Exchequer funding has been allocated, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
In terms of regional and local roads, the improvement and maintenance of these roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
As regards projected Exchequer capital grant expenditure on national roads and regional & local road maintenance, this is included under Infrastructure Programmes in the Capital Tracker which is available from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website. In addition, the Regional and Local Road allocation and payment booklets available in the Oireachtas library also provide details of grant payments and allocations to date for road maintenance programmes.
Noting the above position in respect of national roads, I have referred the question to TII for a more detailed and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
289. Deputy Robert Troy 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 expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43120/18]
View answer293. Deputy Robert Troy 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 expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43124/18]
View answer294. Deputy Robert Troy 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 expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43125/18]
View answer295. Deputy Robert Troy 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 expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43126/18]
View answer296. Deputy Robert Troy 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 expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43127/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 293 to 296, inclusive, together.
In the context of the questions raised regarding major and minor projects under the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) or otherwise, I am responding with a composite reply to PQ Refs 43120/18, 43124/18, , 43125/18, 43126/18 and 43127/18.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. When Exchequer funding has been allocated, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
You may wish to note that Capital Exchequer funding, for national roads, may be obtained under Infrastructure Programmes in the Capital Tracker which is available from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website.
Noting the above position, I have referred the questions to TII for a more detailed and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
290. Deputy Robert Troy 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 expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43121/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. When Exchequer funding has been allocated, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
The Government's Capital Investment Plan (CIP) "Building on Recovery - Infrastructure and Capital Investment" provides the strategic and financial framework for TII's activities for the period 2016 to 2021. The proposed N22 Ballyvourney-Macroom project is one of a number of major national road improvement schemes that were identified for development during the period of the CIP. In that context, when my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, provides Capital funding to TII for the implementation of the CIP, TII's function is to then deliver on an integrated approach to the future development and operation of the national roads network throughout Ireland. Consequently, TII will be in a position to advise on the current status and funding of the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
291. Deputy Robert Troy 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 expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43122/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. When Exchequer funding has been allocated, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
The Government's Capital Investment Plan (CIP) "Building on Recovery - Infrastructure and Capital Investment" provides the strategic and financial framework for TII's activities for the period 2016 to 2021. The proposed N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange project is one of number of major national road improvement schemes that were identified for development during the period of the CIP. In that context, when my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, provides Capital funding to TII for the implementation of the CIP, TII's function is to then deliver on an integrated approach to the future development and operation of the national roads network throughout Ireland. Consequently, TII will be in a position to advise on the current status and funding of the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange project.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
292. Deputy Robert Troy 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 expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43123/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. When Exchequer funding has been allocated, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
The Government's Capital Investment Plan (CIP) "Building on Recovery - Infrastructure and Capital Investment" provides the strategic and financial framework for TII's activities for the period 2016 to 2021. The proposed N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin project is one of number of major national road improvement schemes that were identified for development during the period of the CIP. In that context, when my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, provides Capital funding to TII for the implementation of the CIP, TII's function is to then deliver on an integrated approach to the future development and operation of the national roads network throughout Ireland. Consequently, TII will be in a position to advise on the current status and funding of the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin project.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
