Vol. 531 No. 3
131 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the capital projects funded by her Department in the Kildare South constituency during 2000; the amount of funding in each case; the capital projects proposed by her Department in 2001; the amount of funding in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5787/01]
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to funding of capital projects in the Kildare South constituency is as follows: With regard to public transport, the Government is committed to investment in the public transport system. The national development plan provides for the investment of £1.6 billion to improve the public transport infrastructure in the greater Dublin area – including enhanced services in the Kildare-Carlow area. In early 2000, Iarnród Éireann ordered 60 new diesel rail cars under the national development plan for delivery in 2002-03 to provide for enhanced suburban rail services in the greater Dublin area. These new diesel rail cars will be used to enhance commuter services in the greater Dublin area including south County Kildare. I understand that Iarnród Éireann also ordered for delivery in 2003 a further 20 diesel rail cars to enhance Dublin commuter services in late 2000. Many of the benefits of investment in public transport, particularly on railway infrastructure, cross county boundaries and, in general, it is not possible to associate investment with individual counties.
I understand Iarnród Éireann recently placed a contract for the renewal of Monasterevin station at a cost of £2.5 million. It is anticipated that this project will be completed by the end of the year.
In addition, Iarnród Éireann recently submitted proposals, costed at in excess of £200 million, to my Department for the upgrade of the rail line between Kildare and Heuston. The proposal is designed to allow an increased number of commuter trains operate between Kildare and Heuston station. These proposals are currently being examined in my Department.
With regard to energy efficiency, my Department, through the Irish Energy Centre, funded one energy project in the Kildare South Constituency, Athy, in 2000. The amount of funding was £3,840, which was the final tranche of a grant of £19,200 approved in previous years under the energy efficiency investment support scheme under the Economic Infrastructure Operational Programme 1994-99. This scheme encouraged industry and commercial property owners to invest in energy efficient technologies. It is not possible, at this stage, to identify the equivalent 2001 projects under the programme.
132 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the capital projects funded by her Department in the South Kerry constituency in 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5860/01]
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to capital projects funded by my Department in the South Kerry constituency in 2000 is as follows. With regard to public transport, the Government is committed to investment in the public transport system. The national development plan provides for the investment of over £2.5 billion to improve the public transport infrastructure throughout the country. Many of the benefits of investment in public transport, particularly on railway infrastructure, cross county boundaries and, in general, it is not possible to associate investment with individual counties.
I understand from Iarnród Éireann that in the South Kerry constituency last year, 15 miles of rail track on the Mallow to Tralee line were upgraded by the replacement of old jointed rail track with continuous welded tracks on concrete sleepers. This work cost £6 million. The company plans to upgrade a further eight miles of track between Killarney and Tralee in 2001. This work is estimated to cost £3.5 million.
