As the Deputy is aware, the Capital Plan sets out transport investment priorities to 2022. The decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget, over €4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work with a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway. In this context it was not possible to include a range of projects in the Plan given the overall funding envelope available.
As regards the possibility of additional funding within the Plan period, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has started the Capital Plan review and has indicated that the additional capital funding for allocation across all Departments totals €2.6 billion. My Department is seeking additional funding for a package of measures, including regional and local roads. While there is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector, which was reflected in the Action Plan for Rural Development, there are a multitude of possible national, regional and local projects around the country, the cost of which far exceed available funding. The final decisions on allocations are matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government as a whole.