Vol. 512 No. 8
85 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the opinion that local authorities in the Dublin area should encourage the use of park and ride facilities throughout the year by working in joint venture with transport providers and private enterprise and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27384/99]
Park and ride facilities are widely recognised as an important instrument in achieving an integrated approach to urban traffic congestion. Well located facilities of this kind can assist in encouraging commuters to leave their cars in secure parking areas and travel by public transport to the city centre thereby reducing traffic congestion.
The Dublin Transportation Office will continue to promote, with the relevant local authorities and transport providers, the provision of park and ride facilities as an important means of facilitating a shift to public transport. Indeed, the Dublin Transportation Office's "Transportation Blueprint 2000-2006" outlines a number of locations where park and ride facilities are considered necessary. In addition, the national development plan places particular emphasis on addressing transport needs in the greater Dublin area and as part of this provides for further investment in traffic management initiatives including the provision of park and ride facilities.
Tax incentives which were included in the Finance Act, 1999, were aimed at encouraging the participation of the private sector in the development of park and ride facilities in our major cities including Dublin. I issued guidelines in August 1999 on the criteria and requirements to be met by park and ride facilities and associated residential development for which tax relief is sought. Further guidelines will be issued in due course relating to tax incentives for associated commercial development when the necessary EU approval for such incentives has been obtained.
In addition, a provision of £2 million was provided in the 1999 budget for the development of park and ride facilities in the Dublin area. This funding, together with the funding being provided to the Dublin Transportation Office in respect of 2000, as well as own resources expenditure by Iarnród Éireann and local authorities is, and will be, used for the development of new, and the upgrading of existing, mainly rail based, park and ride facilities by the relevant local authorities. It is expected that almost 3,300 car parking spaces will have been provided at locations in the Dublin area before the end of 2000.
