Written Replies Nos. 315-332
315. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the metro north project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17361/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the new Metro North project.
Funding of over €700 million has been allocated under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 for planning, design and construction of new Metro North. Funding in the initial years of the Capital Plan is for planning and design work with construction expected to commence in 2021 with a view to delivering the project by 2026/2027. It is estimated that the project will cost in the region of €2.4 billion (excluding VAT). The Programme for Partnership Government commits to proceeding with the new Metro North project.
316. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the DART underground project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17362/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the DART expansion programme; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17363/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the Dublin city centre re-signalling programme; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17368/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra323. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17369/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the central traffic control centre for commuter and intercity rail; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17370/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra325. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation both from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for safety and efficiency maintenance of the rail network; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17371/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 316, 317 and 322 to 325, inclusive, together as they all relate to heavy rail projects and funding programmes.
The funding allocation for public transport under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 is €3.6 billion. Due to the constrained levels of funding available in the early years of the plan, the focus of the funding available in this period is to ensure the safety and efficiency of existing transport infrastructure, including the heavy rail network.
Iarnród Éireann has responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the heavy rail network. In accordance with the requirements of EU law, my Department provides annual capital funding to Iarnród Éireann for the maintenance and renewal of the heavy rail network under the Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract (IMMAC). The current IMMAC covers the period 2014-2018 and funding of almost €160 million is being provided to Iarnród Éireann under the contract in 2017.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035, proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme involving electrification of the Northern line as far as Drogheda, the Kildare Line to Hazelhatch, the Sligo line to Maynooth in the west and to the M3 Parkway and construction of the DART Underground Tunnel. The original cost of the overall DART Expansion Programme (including the tunnel element) was estimated at €4bn - €3bn of which was in respect of the tunnel as originally designed.
However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Government decided in September 2015 that the tunnel element should be redesigned to provide a lower cost solution and that work is being progressed at present. Exchequer spending to end 2014 on the tunnel project amounted to €44.4 million, most of which related to design, planning and railway order costs. The work and costs incurred to date in relation to the project will have value when the redesigned project proceeds. Almost €70m has been allocated under the Capital Plan for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan and for work on the redesign of the tunnel.
The NTA's GDA strategy also proposes completion of the City Centre Re-signalling Programme (CCRP) and development of the Centralised Traffic Control Centre (CTCC) which will improve rail movements on the network. The total cost of the CCRP Project is approximately. €51m with just over €30m spent to date and funding of €20m allocated in the Capital Plan to complete the project by 2019. The CTCC will cost approx €116m with approx. €3m spent to date and further funding of €96m allocated to the project under the Capital Plan.
The Phoenix Park Tunnel Link opened in November 2016. The total capital cost of the project was €13.5 million.
318. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a feasibility study has been implemented in accordance to the capital plan to examine options for expanding freight on the railways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17364/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Capital Plan 2016-21 includes a commitment that the Government will, in advance of the Mid-Term Review, commission a feasibility study to examine options for expanding freight transport on the railways.
Iarnród Éireann is currently the only rail freight service provider in the Irish market, and provides this service on a commercial basis. Iarnród Éireann is itself seeking to grow its rail freight market, and I support them in this endeavour. In addition to Iarnród Éireann's freight services, other operators may provide rail freight services, as the rail freight sector was opened to competition in 2007. My officials will be happy to discuss market access with any interested parties.
With regard to the feasibility study referred in the Capital Plan, the National Transport Authority has recently concluded a public consultation on the 2016 Rail Review. The public consultation includes consideration of rail freight, and the results of this consultation will inform my Department's development of a rail freight feasibility study.
319. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation under the capital plan for the acquisition of replacement buses; the amount that has been spent; the number of buses acquired; the estimated expenditure on replacement buses over the life of the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17365/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra320. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for upgrading quality bus corridors; the amount that has been spent to date; the number of bus corridors upgraded; the estimated capital expenditure to be spent over the remaining life of the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.
Over €800 million is allocated under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 for bus programmes. This includes fleet replacement and enlargement programmes, bus network infrastructure development and bus rapid transit (BRT) programmes. Funding has been made available under the Capital Plan for initial planning and design work for two specific BRT schemes, Blanchardstown to UCD and Clongriffin to Tallaght. Funding is also provided under the Capital Plan for sustainable transport measures, which includes the development or upgrading of quality bus corridors (QBCs), in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the provision of public and sustainable transport infrastructure in the GDA and in the regional cities. The NTA is also responsible for the renewal of the bus fleet in respect of Public Service Obligation (PSO) services operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. The NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the region over the next two decades.
My Department provides funding to the NTA for a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the PSO fleet. Funding was provided in Budget 2017 to facilitate the purchase of 110 new buses for the PSO bus fleet for the Dublin region and 70 for the Bus Éireann PSO fleet. The extent to which these buses will be used to replace older vehicles or to expand the current PSO fleet will be determined by the NTA taking account of demand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for more detailed information on recent developments/upgrading of QBCs in the GDA and the regional cities.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
321. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the LUAS cross city project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17367/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding of almost €200 million has been provided under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 to allow for completion of the Luas Cross City project. Funding for the development of the project was also provided under the previous Capital Plan.
The total budget for the project is €368 million and the project is on target to be delivered within budget and on schedule with operations due to commence in final Quarter of this year.
326. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the roads maintenance programme; the amount that has been spent to date; the estimated capital cost to be expected at the end of the capital project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 7 year transport element of the Capital Plan published in September 2015 sets out transport investment priorities to 2022. The Plan includes provision for expenditure of €6 billion on the road network. €4.4bn of this funding is earmarked for essential maintenance and strengthening works on the network. Given the annual funding profile, maintenance and strengthening is the main focus of expenditure in the early years of the Plan. This category of expenditure, which includes roads pavement resurfacing and renewal, is essential to protect the country's road assets. A further €600m in the Capital Plan relates to PPP projects and €860m is targeted at progressing a limited number of new roads projects.
Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities for 2016 are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the 2017 regional and local road grant allocations to each local authority are also available in the Dáil library. Payment details in respect of 2017 allocations will not be available until early 2018.
As regards the expenditure details in relation to national roads capital maintenance, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
327. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the N5 Westport to Turlough project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra328. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17374/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the N8/N25 Dunkettle interchange project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17375/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17376/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the M7 Naas to Newbridge bypass widening project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17377/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra332. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the N56 Dungloe to Glenties project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17378/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra334. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the Moycullen bypass project; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17380/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the N56 Mountcharles to Inver Road; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17381/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra342. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the Galway bypass; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17388/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra343. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the Mallow Relief Road; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17389/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra344. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the Adare bypass, the amount that has been spent to date, the expected completion date, the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17390/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra345. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the Slane bypass; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17391/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra346. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17392/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra347. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan for the N69 Shannon to Foynes road; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost of finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17393/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 327 to 332, inclusive, 334, 335, 342 to 347, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
The planned new national road improvement schemes in the Capital Plan include schemes with planning consent and projects which need project appraisal sign-off and planning consent. 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.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
