Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
166. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 12 October 2021, when specific allocations for 2021, 2022 and 2023 will made for Project Ireland 2040 cross-Border funding to support key infrastructure projects committed to in the National Development Plan, including projects (details supplied). [53734/21]
View answer167. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the breakdown of the funding commitments for 2021, 2022 and 2023 for all projects, initiatives, services, goods and works committed to from the Shared Island Fund; and the amount and recipients of the funding in tabular form. [53735/21]
View answer169. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the details of the cross-Border Project Ireland 2040 infrastructure projects and the funding allocated for 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [53853/21]
View answer170. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the details of his Department’s current cross-Border initiatives, goods and or services committed to and the funding allocated to each for 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [53871/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 167, 169 and 170 together.
Delivering on key cross-border infrastructure commitments and developing new North/South investment projects to implement Programme for Government objectives on Shared Island is a priority for the Government.
On 4 October, under the revised National Development Plan (NDP), the Government made allocations for the Shared Island Fund from 2021-2025, as set out in tabular form below, and committed to allocate ring-fenced, multi-annual capital resourcing for all-island investment out to 2030, at least at the current level of the Shared Island Fund.
Funding allocations for cross-border investment projects referred to in the revised National Development Plan are managed in each case by the relevant line Department. The Government’s contribution to the A5 Road Transport Corridor upgrade; the upgrade of the Dublin-Belfast rail connection to an hourly service, including new rolling stock; and, cross-border greenways, including the Sligo Enniskillen greenway are managed by the Department of Transport. Establishment of all-island research centres is being progressed by the Department of Further and Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has lead responsibility for the renovation of the Ulster Canal.
Government Departments are working closely with counterpart Departments in the Northern Ireland Executive to progress cross-border investment commitments, including on the timing of funding allocations, which in some cases is dependent on the progress of planning and other regulatory requirements in Northern Ireland.
Funding commitments made by Government under the Shared Island Fund to date are set out in tabular form below.
Shared Island Fund allocations are transferred to Departmental Votes on a phased basis, as required for the progress of specific projects in 2021, 2022, 2023 and subsequent years. This is managed by the responsible Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in accordance with Public Financial Procedures.
The Shared Island unit in my Department acts as a driver and coordinator of a whole of Government initiative, including to support delivery of commitments on Shared Island set out in the Programme for Government. The unit engages with Government Departments and Agencies which have the policy responsibility and resource management functions in respect of sectoral and thematic areas of cross-border cooperation.
|
National Development Plan allocations (€m) |
|||||
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
|
Shared Island Fund |
50 |
50 |
100 |
150 |
150 |
Shared Island Fund commitments
|
Project |
(€m) |
Responsible Department |
|
Ulster Canal (for Phase 2 delivery and Phase 3 development) |
7 |
Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government |
|
Narrow Water Bridge (to progress to tender stage) |
3 |
Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government |
|
North South Research Programme (over five years) |
40 |
Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
|
Total commitment to date |
50 |
