Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2015
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he will prioritise road and rail improvements, as identified in the capital programme, to progress over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45633/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Government's new Capital Plan 'Building on Recovery Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021, the public transport programme included in the 7 year transport element of the Plan will reach €3.6bn. This will allow for €2.6bn investment to be prioritised for essential 'steady state' maintenance and asset renewal of the public transport system including:
- An on-going maintenance programme to ensure the safety and efficiency of the rail network;
- Bus fleet replacement and capacity enhancement;
- Upgrading of Bus Corridors; and
- The completion of the Luas Cross City project in Dublin;
Funds are also being committed for a range of measures which will help to alleviate traffic congestion and promote modal shift in the short term, including the opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel in 2016 to bring some scheduled passenger services on the Kildare Line to Connolly Station; improvements to the DART service with increased frequencies and capacity; building additional cycle lanes and improving existing lanes and continuing with the smart technological upgrades which enhance public transport and encourage more people to use the public transport network.
A further €1bn will be invested to address growing congestion resulting from economic recovery and population growth. Works will include the completion of the City Centre Resignalling Programme for the rail network and the construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre for commuter and intercity rail. This additional funding will also enable major transport projects, including new Metro North and DART Expansion Programme, to proceed.
With regard to roads projects, the transport element of the Capital Plan provides that work will commence on several roads projects which are targeted at removing critical bottlenecks or upgrading inadequate sections of road. In this context, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (in relation to national roads) and my Department (in relation to regional and local roads) is assessing how best to progress projects over the 7 years of the plan taking into account annual budget allocations. The progression of projects which have not yet received planning approval will of course be conditional on achieving the necessary approvals. The timeframe for progressing individual projects will be decided once TII's assessment process is completed.
The Government proposes to undertake a Mid-Term Review of the new Capital Plan, which will take stock of progress and provide the Government with an opportunity to reaffirm priority projects. This Review will also provide the Government with an opportunity to consider the scope for increased levels of investment, should Ireland's economic growth and fiscal progress exceed the present forecasts, and the next Capital Plan (post-2021) will also be formulated in that context.
