As the Deputy is aware, public transport infrastructure projects on the scale of BusConnects require a planning and design phase that can take several years and involve the input of a wide range of people and stakeholders.
The planning and design phase is essential in order to achieve buy-in and support for the project and to bring it successfully through the planning permission process and then on to the construction phase, prior to delivery for the public.
I understand the National Transport Authority has provided the Deputy with the total cost to end 2021 of the BusConnects programme for the Greater Dublin Area. The amount referred to by the Deputy was incurred on the BusConnects programme as part of that planning and design phase and is a necessary part of the overall programme costs.