Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2016
174. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent on the maintenance of the rail network in each of the years from 2008 to 2016 in tabular form; the amount his Department estimates is required to maintain the rail network in a steady state condition; and the amount that will be provided in budget 2017 for the maintenance of the rail network. [32306/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funds to Irish Rail for the maintenance and renewal of the heavy rail network nationwide. Funding was provided under the Railway Safety Programme (RSP) between 1999-2013. Approximately €100m was spent per annum for the duration of the 15 year programme.
In 2014 the RSP was replaced by the Multi Annual Infrastructure Manager Contract (IMMAC) as required under EU Directive 2012/34/EU for the provision of state funding for the maintenance and improvement of railway infrastructure.
The following table shows the funds provided to Irish Rail between 2008–2016 under the RSP and IMMAC.
|
YEAR |
FUNDING |
PROGRAMME |
|
2008 |
€122.0m |
RSP |
|
2009 |
€113.3m |
RSP |
|
2010 |
€108.2m |
RSP |
|
2011 |
€119.08m |
RSP |
|
2012 |
€101.97m |
RSP |
|
2013 |
€105.4m |
RSP |
|
2014 |
€140.69m *€7.02m |
IMMAC *Flood funding under Supplementary Estimates |
|
2015 |
€144.17m |
IMMAC |
|
2016 |
€126.0m *€8m |
IMMAC *Flood funding under Supplementary Estimates |
Independent analysis has estimated that the Exchequer contribution to the IMMAC is €60m per annum less than required to maintain the existing network at steady state levels. Under the funding allocations in the Capital Plan "Building on Recovery: Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021" it is projected that the network will achieve "steady state" funding levels by 2020.
In 2017 I intend to increase the allocation received by Irish Rail under the IMMAC to nearly €160 million to enable further necessary works to be undertaken.
