Brian Leddin
Question:12. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Limerick to Scariff and Limerick city to Shannon greenway projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30202/23]
View answerGreenways Provision
Questions (12)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. €63 million has been allocated by my Department to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in 2023 for the delivery of its Greenway Programme. Of this, €2.1m has allocated to Clare County Council for Greenway projects under their remit.
€780,000 has been allocated to the Limerick to Scariff Greenway. The proposed 40km of Greenway will begin in Limerick City Centre, travelling along the Park Canal to Black Bridge, Plassey and will then continue along the Errina Canal to Clonlara before arriving at the Ardnacrusha Headrace. From Lough Derg, the Greenway will continue through Killaloe before reaching Scariff Harbour. The Greenway is being developed in conjunction with Waterways Ireland and in the context of Fáilte Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand, the Shannon Tourism Masterplan, the Lough Derg Visitor Experience Development Plan and Clare’s Tourism Strategies. This Greenway will form part of the proposed Shannon Greenway which will run from the river’s source to the estuary. It is currently at Phase 1 - Concept and Feasibility of the TII Project Management Guidelines. It is intended to go to public consultation with Route Corridor Options in late June or early July of this year.
In addition, €300,000 has been allocated to progress the Shannon to Limerick Greenway. The proposed Greenway will connect Shannon Town, Bunratty and onto Limerick city environs and will be approximately 18km in length, offering both a tourist route for cyclists between Shannon and Limerick with potential commuting options. This project is at Phase 0 - Scope and Pre-Appraisal. It is envisaged that technical advisors will be appointed in late 2023 with a target date for completion of Phase 0 of mid-2024. There is potential for the scheme to be delivered on a phased basis. In that regard, Clare County Council are well advanced in the completion of a feasibility study for the early delivery of the section from Shannon to Bunratty, and thereafter a link to Sixmilebridge.
Public Transport
Questions (13, 26)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:13. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport his plans to improve public transport for students forced to make long commutes due to a lack of accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29224/23]
View answer
Alan Dillon
Question:26. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport if he has explored alternative measures to alleviate the financial burden of public transport for students; if he will provide an update on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30204/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 26 together.
I want to reassure the Deputy that the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens, including students, with reliable and realistic public transport options. The roll-out of projects like BusConnects, Connecting Ireland, and New Town Services are among the improvements we are making to achieve our ambitious goals for the sector. This includes the infrastructure needed to deliver those services.
In tandem with these improvements, to assist with the costs associated with this travel, under Budget 2023 I secured funding for the continuation of both the 20% average PSO fare reduction, and the Young Adult Card Scheme which provides eligible third level students with a 50% reduction on PSO and participating commercial bus services. These fare initiatives make a real difference to those using our public transport system.
I also want to reassure the Deputy that my Department, the National Transport Authority, and our operators are working to ensure the optimised deployment of resources to match changing demand patterns.
Where increased passenger demand was evident during the 2022/2023 academic year – for example, on several Limerick City, Cork city and commuter and Dublin commuter services – the NTA is working with operators to improve capacity. These interventions are planned for implementation this autumn, subject to driver and bus availability.
I firmly believe that with continued investment in public transport services, we will build a more efficient network, thereby providing a viable travel option for all transport users.
Park-and-Ride Facilities
Questions (14)
Catherine Connolly
Question:14. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 4 May 2023, if he will provide a status update on the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30010/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority is leading the development and rollout of strategic park and ride sites nationwide through the Park and Ride Development Office.
By reducing the length of car trips, the provision of park and ride at strategic locations can help to reduce the distances travelled by car, with a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions and congestion.
The National Transport Authority established the Park and Ride Development Office in February 2020, which had been included as an action in the Climate Action Plan 2019. The function of the Park and Ride Development Office is to enable the delivery of park and ride sites by the National Transport Authority, in collaboration with Local Authorities and transport operators such as Iarnród Éireann, across the country. Through the Park and Ride Development Office, full-time specialist resources are now employed on such projects.
As outlined in the National Transport Authority’s reply to the Deputy on this issue in May, the Park and Ride Development Office is continuing to work on the development of park and ride for Galway City. This work consists of reviewing and validating analysis underpinning the Galway Transport Strategy using the latest available information. In addition, work is being carried out on site location analysis. The analysis is focusing initially on potential park and ride sites on the east side of the city but will grow to include analysis of potential sites in other areas.
The Park and Ride Development Office is currently focused on the Site Selection process for sites in the vicinities of N6 Junction 9 and Claregalway, which will provide 550 parking spaces and 320 parking spaces respectively.
It is anticipated that the development of the sites would be aligned with the delivery of other supporting infrastructure, in particular bus corridor infrastructure, as the success of park and ride provision is dependent upon efficient public transport interchange. Therefore, within the National Transport Authority, there has been engagement in respect of the two potential park and ride sites and complementary active travel schemes and BusConnects proposals.
Rail Network
Questions (15, 52, 72)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:15. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reopen the western rail corridor for freight and passengers from Collooney to Athenry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30161/23]
View answer
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:52. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport when he will announce the Athenry to Claremorris portion of the western rail corridor and an anticipated commencement date; if he will now begin assessing the potential for the next phase of the western rail corridor from Claremorris to Collooney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30167/23]
View answer
Bríd Smith
Question:72. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he can clarify the position of the Government in relation to investment in the western rail corridor; if he supports further investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30119/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 52 and 72 together.
As committed to in the National Development Plan, the Western Rail Corridor is being considered as part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review announced in 2021 by Minister Ryan in partnership with the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The need for Ireland to develop a more strategic framework for investment in our rail network was previously noted by JASPERS, an agency of the European Investment Bank. This Review is the first such Departmental-led Review in two decades and the first ever to be conducted on an all-island basis.
The Review will inform the development rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions. The Review is considering the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope includes the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a draft will be published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment, or SEA, public consultation in July. Following the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected that it will be submitted for Ministerial approval and ultimately the approval of the Government in the autumn.
In parallel, the final report will be submitted to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland for their approval. Should there continue to be an absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, approval will be considered taking into account the decision-making framework or relevant legislation in place in Northern Ireland at that time.
I am sure Deputies will acknowledge that in light of the above processes, it would be premature to commit to the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor before the Review is finalised and presented to Government.
Road Projects
Questions (16)
Brendan Griffin
Question:16. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if the upgrade of the N22, Macroom to Ovens phase, is a priority of his Department; if he recognises its strategic importance for connectivity in the south-west region; if he will provide an estimated timescale that all stages of such a project would take, an outline of what the scheme would entail, and an estimated cost in today's money for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30099/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for 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.
The Deputy will be aware that the N22 Macroom to Ballincollig improvement scheme was not identified as a project for progression under the NDP 2021 to 2030. Funding under the NDP is obviously directed toward those projects identified within the Plan.
The Government has earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. This funding will enable improved regional accessibility across the country as well as compact growth, which are key National Strategic Outcomes. The funding will provide for the development of numerous national road projects, including the completion of projects which are already at construction stage and those close to it, as well as the development of a number of others.
As the greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, this means that there is a constraint on the funding available for new projects this year – however most national road projects in the NDP will continue to be progressed in 2023.
A major priority in the NDP, in line with the Department’s investment hierarchy, is to maintain the quality and safety of the existing national road network. The NDP foresees an exchequer allocation of circa €2.9 billion for the Protection and Renewal of existing national roads over the 10-year period to 2030, allocated fairly evenly across the decade.
Approximately €491m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2023. These allocations were announced by the Department of Transport and TII on the 16th of February 2023.
Road Projects
Questions (17)
Brendan Griffin
Question:17. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will move to build the Adare bypass now that judicial reviews will not be taking place; if he will provide details of costs of all stages of the project and estimated timelines for these; if he recognises the difficulty for socioeconomic activity that the lack of this infrastructure causes in the mid-west and south-west regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30100/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for 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.
With regard to the Limerick to Foynes Project, in addition to providing a much-needed bypass of Adare, it will also serve to connect the Port of Foynes to the motorway network. Following Government approval to proceed to planning, the scheme was published in December 2019 with An Bord Pleanála approval secured in August 2022. Following this, three requests for judicial review were submitted to the High Court and Leave to Appeal was granted to all three.
In recent days the three applications for Judicial Review which were before the courts have been settled. This is a welcome development, and Departmental officials and TII are now examining the implications for the delivery of this project, both in terms of cost and in time. The next step for the project will be approval of the procurement strategy and project brief at Decision Gate 2 of the Public Spending Code.
€2 million in funding was allocated to Limerick City and County Council for this project in 2023. As with all national roads projects included in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2024. This will include consideration of all developments in relation to the project, including the settlement of these legal matters.
Question No. 18 answered with Question No. 11.
Transport Policy
Questions (19)
Colm Burke
Question:19. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the safe routes to school programme in Cork, in particular setting out, in tabular form, the number of schools that will be included in the programme; to provide a status update on the roll-out of these projects under round 1 schemes and round 2 schemes in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30115/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions. This should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school.
Over 930 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme. Subsequently two schools have deferred their applications and one school has withdrawn, leaving 167 schools in Round 1. 108 schools were announced as part of Round 2 of the Programme in December 2022, totalling 275 schools now at varying stages of options development, design, planning, construction or completion.
It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in Round 1 will be selected for forthcoming rounds. In Cork, 85 schools in both Cork City and County local authority areas applied for the Programme and to date 26 of these have been selected for Rounds 1 and 2.
In Cork County, construction is complete at Bunscoil Rinn an Chabhlaigh, Rushbrooke and Scoil Phádraig Naofe & Presentation Primary school in Bandon. Construction has commenced this month at Bandon Grammar School and is due to commence at Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan as well as St. Mary's NS, Scoil Iosaef Naofa and Colaiste Muire in Cobh. Public consultation has closed on the project at Scoil Mhuire na nGrást, Belgooly and is due to commence for the Scoil Bhríde, Crosshaven project, while preliminary design is underway at Midleton CBS Primary School. All seven Round 2 schools are at initial stages of data collection and school community engagement. These schools are:
• Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy
• St Colman's College, Fermoy
• Baltydaniel National School
• Coachford National School
• St Joseph's Primary School, Macroom
• St Joseph's Girls National School, Skibbereen
• St Patrick's Boy's National School, Skibbereen
Meanwhile in Cork City, significant works are complete at Gaelscoil na Dúglaise as part of the South Douglas Road pedestrian and cycling improvement scheme and the front of school environment is currently being designed. All remaining Round 1 schools are at preliminary design and public consultation on these projects will commence soon. These schools are:
• St Luke's NS, O'Mahony's Avenue
• Scoil Naomh Iosaf, Riverstown
• Scoil Naomh Caitríona, Model Farm Road
• Glanmire Community College
• Bishopstown Community School
Finally, all three Round 2 schools, namely Cork ETNS and Scoil Barra Naofa Buachaillí and Scoil Barra Naofa Cailini in Beaumont are at initial stages of data collection and school community engagement.
Question No. 20 answered with Question No. 11.
Departmental Data
Questions (21)
Richard Bruton
Question:21. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has data on the modal split in Dublin since Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30112/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Transport do not hold such information directly, however analysis of surveys conducted by other agencies and the Central Statistics Office provides useful information.
Figures from the National Travel Survey, by the CSO in Quarter 4 of 2021, show the proportional breakdown of journeys by mode in Dublin as follows. More than half of all journeys in Dublin were made by car (56%). Almost three in ten (29.5%) were by walking or cycling, compared with just over one in five (21%) in the same period in 2019. While 12% were by some form of public transport.
More recently, the NTA published the Canal Cordon report, a traffic counting survey conducted at locations around the cordon formed by the Royal and Grand Canals in Dublin during the month of November each year. The latest figures for this survey counted 177,243 people crossing the canal cordon inbound in the morning peak period between 07:00-10:00 for 2022. Of which, 55% did so by public transport (bus, rail, LUAS), 15% by active travel, and 28% by car.
Tables are included below for reference.
|
NTS 2021, CSO |
|
|
|
Mode |
2019 |
2021 |
|
Private car (driver/passenger) |
62.2 |
55.7 |
|
Private car - driver |
54.9 |
52.2 |
|
Private car - passenger |
7.3 |
3.5 |
|
Walk |
17.6 |
24.6 |
|
Bus |
8.5 |
7.8 |
|
Cycle2 |
3.4 |
4.9 |
|
Rail / DART / Luas |
4.1 |
3.1 |
|
Rail |
1.0 |
0.2 |
|
DART/Luas |
3.1 |
2.9 |
|
Taxi / hackney |
1.5 |
0.7 |
|
Lorry / motorcycle / other3 |
2.6 |
3.2 |
|
Lorry/motorcycle |
0.4 |
0.0 |
|
Van |
1.7 |
1.7 |
|
Other3 |
0.5 |
1.4 |
|
All modes of travel |
100.0 |
100.0 |
|
1 n/a denotes breakdown not available for 2016. |
|
2 Includes travel by electric bicycle. |
|
3 Includes lorry, van, motorcycle and other modes of transport - see also footnote 4. |
|
4 Includes electric personal mobility vehicles such as electric scooters, electric skateboards, Segways, hoverboards. |
|
NTA Canal Cordon Count 2022 |
Count |
Proportion |
|
Bus |
61,362 |
35% |
|
Rail |
25,314 |
14% |
|
LUAS |
10,982 |
6% |
|
Car |
49,053 |
28% |
|
Taxi |
2,234 |
1% |
|
Walk |
16,951 |
10% |
|
Cycle |
9,486 |
5% |
|
Goods |
933 |
1% |
|
Motorcycles |
928 |
1% |
|
Total |
177,243 |
100% |
Environmental Impact Assessments
Questions (22)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:22. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will give consideration to establishing a fund specifically aimed at noise mitigation and-or sound barriers to mitigate the impact of major motorway construction projects on local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29879/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
The amended European Communities (Environmental Noise Regulations) 2018 (S.I. No. 549) deal with the requirements to prepare noise actions plans to be developed for the purpose of managing environmental noise issues and their effects, including noise reduction, if necessary.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the national authority for overseeing the implementation of these Regulations. Local authorities, in their role as designated Action Planning Authorities, are responsible for making and approving noise actions plans.
The finalised action plan is the responsibility of the respective local authority. While TII have a role in the preparation of noise maps, funding cannot be provided to TII from the Department as they have no role in the implementation of such plans under the Regulations. Therefore, all Environmental Noise related issues are a matter for each respective local authority.
Parking Provision
Questions (23)
Colm Burke
Question:23. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what engagement has taken place between his Department and the DAA, with a view to having the appropriate level of car parking spaces available in Dublin Airport and Cork Airport ahead of the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30116/23]
View answerWritten answers
daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin and Cork Airports, including car parking at the airports.
I can advise the Deputy that my officials and I engage regularly with the daa. In recent engagements I have stressed the importance of Dublin and Cork Airports engaging with all parts of the airport community in relation to preparedness for Summer 2023.
The deputy will be aware that there is a significant level of pent-up demand for air travel with the result that passenger numbers have rebounded strongly at our airports this year. Latest passenger statistics show that last month, over 3m passengers passed through Dublin airport and 263,000 passengers passed through Cork Airport which was an increase of 17% and 29% respectively in comparison to last May.
My department is aware that Dublin Airport, in particular, is facing significant car parking challenges on foot of the temporary closure of a privately owned long stay car park (Quickpark) and that there is potential for this to have a material impact on passengers over the coming summer peak period. While the daa has agreed terms to purchase this car park, this is under review by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
The daa communications team has stood up a robust communications campaign to ensure passengers are well informed of options for travelling to and from Dublin Airport this summer. Dublin Airport has a wide range of connectivity options available to passengers. The airport is accessible by in excess of 1,000 public transport services daily. daa has advised my department that it is working closely with transport operators to increase the number of active bus routes serving the airport by 15% this summer, while also increasing the number of taxi permits in issue by 20%. Daa advise that there are short term car parking spaces available at Dublin Airport for passengers being dropped off and picked up from the Airport and parking is available when booked in advance in the long-term car parks.
Cork Airport has 4,100 short and long-term car parking spaces across three car parks and is serviced by two bus links, Bus Eireann and Citylink. Both bus services service routes to and from Cork city centre, railway station and bus station. There is also a service from Galway via Limerick provided by Citylink. I am advised that no issues have been raised in relation to car parking at Cork Airport.
I will be meeting with the CEO of daa again later this week where I will seek to ensure that daa is maximising their current parking capacity and continuing to examine alternative options, as appropriate, including increasing the number of taxi permits and public transport services to the airport.
Rail Network
Questions (24)
Catherine Connolly
Question:24. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 4 May 2023, the status of the promised feasibility study for light rail in Galway; if the feasibility study has commenced; the details of any engagement he or his Department has had with the team carrying out the feasibility study since the appointment of the team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30009/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, have commenced the process of developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS). This strategy will replace the current Galway Transport Strategy.
Following an open tender competition process, the NTA have appointed consultants to manage the development of the new strategy. The programme of works will contain a comprehensive review of all transport options in the Galway metropolitan area. This will examine walking, cycling, bus, rail, park and ride, and traffic management, including management of goods movement. It will specifically include a feasibility assessment for light rail in Galway City.
The NTA will undertake a comprehensive public consultation exercise on a draft strategy as part of the development process by the end of this year.
In the meantime, implementation will continue on the current Galway Transport Strategy. A significant amount of planning and design has already taken place which will enable construction activity in the coming years across active travel, bus and rail related projects including BusConnects.
Transport Policy
Questions (25)
Richard Bruton
Question:25. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the basis on which funding will be made available to local authorities to fund mobility hubs for the different elements that can be provided; and when he expects that the first ten such hubs will be in place. [30111/23]
View answerWritten answers
It is my understanding that the Deputy is referring to a commitment in the Climate Action Plan 2023 to consider an eMobility hub model for the 5 cities. Such hubs would bring together different shared mobility modes such as bikes, ecargo bikes and electric vehicles with the aim of providing users with access to a broader range of convenient and affordable sustainable transport options. The National Transport Authority have commenced work on a project to consider a delivery model for mobility hubs in line with the commitment in CAP23.
As the Deputy will appreciate, shared transport is taking on increasing importance as a key strategy in the effort to reduce emissions from transport and is considered an effective mechanism for reducing car dependency and car ownership because such services can provide users with short-term access to a variety of modes of travel when needed.
Mobility Hubs as part of the wider transport network also have the capacity to promote sustainable journeys (including first/last mile connections to public transport) and to improve accessibility for those with limited transport choice and/or no access to a car. For this reason, the aim of the project is to locate a network of hubs conveniently close to where people live, work and play. It is intended that many hubs will be located adjacent to public transport nodes and will include AC charging and, where appropriate, options for faster DC.
As the project is at a very early stage in its development, the funding model and location of hubs have yet to be determined. However, my department and the NTA will be finalising the scope of this project over the remainder of this year, with a view to commencing roll-out in 2024.
Question No. 26 answered with Question No. 13.
Rail Network
Questions (27)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:27. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport how many extra carriages have been allocated on the Dublin to Waterford train line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30220/23]
View answerWritten answers
The deployment of new carriages is a matter in the first instance for Iarnród Éireann in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the development and delivery of certain public transport infrastructure, including the purchase of rolling stock.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, I have been advised by Iarnród Éireann that its operational fleet is fully deployed on scheduled services at present, in line with prevailing demand. The current capacity is primarily based on pre-COVID demand levels, when rapid growth in demand resulted in the utilisation of 100% of the operational fleet at peak times.
However, it is the case that additional and/or cascaded fleet will become available over the next 24 months and the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann are considering options for their deployment on the network.
The first element is the recent arrival of 41 additional intercity railcar carriages. As they are intermediate carriages, they will facilitate the lengthening of existing train sets. Iarnród Éireann is reviewing the proposed deployment with the NTA in the context of emerging post-COVID travel patterns, and Iarnród Éireann’s Strategy 2027 which targets service improvements on a number of routes, including on the Waterford-Dublin line and the new carriages will enter service as part of the next year’s timetable improvements.
The second element relates to the arrival in 2024 of the first of the new DART+ fleet. These carriages will be used on the used on Northern Commuter and existing DART services, to maximise capacity. This will also free up existing Intercity railcar and Commuter carriages for usage elsewhere on the network, and again this will be reviewed based on the above criteria.
Road Network
Questions (28, 58)
Brendan Smith
Question:28. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the very substantial increase in road maintenance and road construction costs, he will ensure additional funding is provided for the non-national roads programme for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30090/23]
View answerBrendan Smith
Question:58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the importance of regional and local roads for rural communities and the substantial increase in costs for road maintenance and road construction over the past two years, he will ensure substantial additional funding is provided to Cavan and Monaghan local authorities for the non-national road works programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30091/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 58 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.
As regards the position in relation to grant funding, as indicated previously, the Department’s capital ceilings are set under the National Development Plan and therefore the scope for additional funding is limited to either identifying opportunities that might exist from year-to-year whereby progress in some programmes and projects might result in funding availability for others at Estimates time, or monitoring in-year expenditure to see if any scope arises for the transfer of funding between programmes. As regards in-year expenditure, drawdown is kept under ongoing review to see if the question of transfers within the Department’s Vote should be considered.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.
Antisocial Behaviour
Questions (29)
Pauline Tully
Question:29. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport to detail the measures in place to deal with antisocial behaviour on buses and trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30175/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation and provision of public transport.
While the safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff is of utmost importance, arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour on public transport are matters which first and foremost must be managed by each public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is further engaged with public transport operators regarding the issue of anti-social behaviour.
As such, the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the respective individual transport operators and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, and Dublin Bus for more detailed reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (30)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:30. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport how it is proposed that the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road scheme will be progressed this year, as due to changes in Government policy and design standards, additional design works are needed and the project team has indicated more funding will be required to close out and complete the current phase 3 design process, but TII has not indicated that more funding will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30208/23]
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (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. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
The Government has earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. This funding will enable improved regional accessibility across the country as well as compact growth, which are key National Strategic Outcomes. The funding will provide for the development of numerous national road projects, including the completion of projects which are already at construction stage and those close to it, as well as the development of a number of others.
As the greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, this means that there was a constraint on the funding available for new projects this year. As a result of this, a prioritisation exercise was necessary. In line with the NDP and Government policy, national road funding for 2023 was allocated in a manner which seeks to achieve the following key outcomes:
• Protection and renewal of the existing national road network
• Progressing major projects in or near construction
• Progressing major projects which are pre-construction but well advanced in the development pipeline
• Prioritising any remaining funds for major projects which provide for local bypasses and Compact Growth in Ireland’s towns and villages.
I can confirm that €600,000 has been allocated for the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney scheme in 2023 in order to meet project commitments. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you on this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51