As I noted in my reply to the Deputy regarding Dáil Question no. 27 of 6th April 2022, 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.
The amount referred to was incurred on the BusConnects programme as part of that planning and design phase and is a necessary part of the overall programme costs.
In relation to the oversight of this programme, procedures are in place to comply with the Public Spending Code within my Department and agencies under its aegis. Government approval will also be required under the Public Spending Code at certain key decision gates for the programme, and I will be advising Government in relation to those decision gates.
