Written Answers Nos. 178-182
178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 622 of 8 December 2015, if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding the National Sports Campus Development Authority and Sport Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45564/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for Sport Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the proposals as set out in the capital programme, with reference to the M7 and M9 Naas and Newbridge bypass, Sallins bypass, Osberstown interchange, Monread Road roundabout, are prioritised; the anticipated schedule for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45630/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 177, reference 39738/15, of 11 November 2015, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (including the N7) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Kildare County Council. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. As regards regional and local roads, responsibility for implementation of improvement projects rests with the relevant local authority which is Kildare County Council in this instance.
As you are aware 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, including the M7 widening and the Sallins Bypass. Kildare County Council is responsible for the construction of the Osberstown Interchange.
In this context, TII is assessing how best to progress national projects included in the 7 year transport element of the Capital Plan taking into account annual budget allocations. The timeframe for progressing individual projects will be decided once that process is completed.
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the development and growth of the tourism sector over the next five years, with particular reference to the development of various tourist trails; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45631/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s plans for the development of the tourism sector have been published and set out in the policy statement "People Place and Policy - Growing Tourism to 2025" and I am currently chairing the Tourism Leadership Group to develop an action plan to implement the policy. I plan to launch that action plan early in the New Year. In that regard, my Department’s role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. It is not involved in the administration of tourism-related funding programmes or in providing support to specific tourism attractions such as trails, which are the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply in ten working days.
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the commuter rail services will be augmented, arising from his announcement in respect of the capital programme, over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45632/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Capital Plan 2016 - 2022 makes provision for the first phase of a multi-phase DART expansion programme, to include the extension of the DART line to Balbriggan and the design and planning phases of the proposed expansion of DART services to Maynooth in the west and Hazelhatch in the southwest.
A major DART service expansion is also planned for early 2016. The service enhancement in response to continuing passenger growth will include DART service at 10-minute frequency on weekdays; earlier start times for DARTS, extra morning peak services from Dundalk/Drogheda and a revised Dublin/Belfast Enterprise schedule.
Also, the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel line, together with ongoing resignalling works between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock will allow commuters on the Kildare rail line to have the option of direct services to the south city area served by Tara, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock Rail Stations. The new services on this line will commence in Autumn 2016.
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.
