Richard Bruton
Ceist:112 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will make additional funds available to Iarnród Éireann to carry out repairs to the East Wall bridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25696/01]
Written Answers. - Iarnród Éireann Funding.
The East Wall Road railway bridge, which carries the DART and Dublin-Belfast line over East Wall Road, has been struck frequently in the past by road vehicles, necessitating the present traffic restrictions on the road. The cost of renewing this bridge is estimated by Iarnród Éireann to be £20 million, 25.4 million.
I have since made an additional £12 million, 15.2 million, available to Iarnród Éireann for safety investments under the Railway Safety Programme in 2001, bringing total Exchequer investment in 2001 under the programme to £114 million, 144.8 million.
I am advised by Iarnród Éireann that these additional funds have been allocated in accordance with its assessment of safety priorities. I understand that, in light of this assessment, the renewal of the East Wall Road bridge is not included in the 2001 programme. However, Iarnród Éireann will continue to review its investment programme for the remaining two years of the Railway Safety Programme in light of its assessment of safety priorities and available funding.