Vol. 498 No. 3
30 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 10 November 1998, she will quantify her reply that substantial progress is already evident on the ground in connection with quality bus corridors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26978/98]
Implementation of the quality bus corridors is being overseen by the Dublin Transportation Office which is under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. I understand that two corridors — Lucan and Malahide — are now fully operational and that a further two are expected to be completed shortly.
In relation to the Lucan corridor, specific research was conducted for Dublin Bus in November 1997 and July 1998 on the 25A route. The surveys show an encouraging shift to public transport. The 1997 survey found that 38 per cent of passengers had started using the route when the QBC was first introduced and the 1998 survey found that 16 per cent had started doing so in the previous six months.
31 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the indications of support, if any, she has received from the Department of Finance in relation to the initial submission her Department made on EU funding for public transport projects in the post 1999 period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26919/98]
I understand that the Department of Finance will shortly consult with regional authorities and the social partners before engaging in negotiations with Government Departments in relation to the content of the national development plan.
The ESRI has been engaged by the Department of Finance to, among other things, assess the individual submissions for EU aid. This work is ongoing.
I do not expect to receive any indication of the level of support for my Department's proposals until the Department of Finance has completed its consultations with regional authorities and the social partners and has received a report from the ESRI.
32 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will ascertain from CIE the amount of rolling stock in the form of buses, railcars and other locomotives that are not in use but in its possession in stations; if she will specify these; if she has satisfied herself that, in view of the Exchequer's underwriting of these capital assets, current deployment is satisfactory; and the proposals, if any, she has to discuss these issues with the board or chairman. [26930/98]
I have no function in relation to these matters. They are day-to-day operational matters for CIE and its operating subsidiaries.
33 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if the new contracts in the proposed new arrangements for the allocation of the subvention from the Exchequer to CIE will specify the actual provision of public transport service details; if these details will cover socially necessary services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26977/98]
It is intended that the current arrangements for the payment of the annual Exchequer subvention to CIE will be replaced by a series of multi-annual public service contracts. It is planned that the contracts will specify the quantity and quality of non-commercial public transport services to be provided and the payment to be made by the State for those services.
