Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
369. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the areas under his remit he hopes to improve under the upcoming review of the National Development Plan 2018 to 2027; the new criteria to assess the need for roads projects; if he has secured a commitment for additional funding for new or expanded roads and other projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1842/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to bring forward the review of the National Development Plan (NDP) and to use the review to set out an updated NDP for the period to 2030. The review of the NDP is a broad and wide ranging review. It seeks to strengthen the alignment with the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040 as well as to take into account key developments since the launch of the current NDP in 2018. It will examine developments in the context of each National Strategic Outcome. It will take into account the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. It will also take into account the impacts of "Brexit" and Covid-19 as well as reflect key policy developments in areas such as Climate Change and the completion of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) for the three Assembly Regions.
Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the NDP, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP.
Phase 2 of the NDP review will entail setting ten year capital ceilings out to 2030 as well as rolling five year Departmental ceilings. This phase has not yet commenced and funding decisions for the Department’s investment programmes will not take place until this phase of the review.
